Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 363: STUDENTS: Authorizes students enrolled in virtual schools to participate in public school activities

HB 363 allows students enrolled in virtual schools to join public school extracurricular activities and sports teams at their neighborhood school based on where they live. It requires schools to treat virtual students the same as in-person students for tryouts, eligibility, and participation standards like grades and conduct. The bill prohibits schools from excluding virtual students from activities solely due to their enrollment type and bans participation in athletic associations that deny such students eligibility. This directly affects virtual school students in Louisiana and the public schools they reside near.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by requiring equal participation in activities for virtual students, removing enrollment-based barriers per bill language.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 319: BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education

HB 319 revises the membership structure of the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education. It specifies appointments from various groups, including the Louisiana Legislators Back to School Program, Project Citizen, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the League of Women Voters, and civic organizations like the NAACP and Louisiana Press Association. The bill removes previous membership categories and establishes a quorum requirement of ten members, with official actions needing a majority vote of those present. This procedural change affects how the commission is composed but does not alter its civic education mission.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill revises membership of Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, including civic groups like NAACP, to strengthen curriculum development and civic engagement in schools.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 28, 2026

SCR 79: COMMENDATIONS: Commends and congratulates Grambling State University upon the celebration of the centennial of the Grambling State University "World Famed" Tiger Marching Band and recognizes its outstanding contributions to music, education, culture, and the proud heritage of the state of Louisiana.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Grambling State University on the 100th anniversary of its Tiger Marching Band. It recognizes the band's historic contributions to music, education, and Louisiana's cultural heritage since its founding in 1926. The resolution serves as an official commendation from the state legislature and directs a copy to the university president.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill commends the university's contributions to education and culture, recognizing the band's historic role in the educational mission.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 28, 2026

SCR 76: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Dewain Strother on being inducted into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

This bill is a commendation resolution that formally recognizes Dewain Strother for his induction into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. It directly affects Strother by having the state legislature acknowledge his nearly five-decade career as a teacher, coach, and educational leader in Sabine Parish. The resolution highlights his achievements, including founding the girls' basketball program at Florien High School and compiling over 1,200 wins, but does not create new laws or change any policies. The only concrete action required is for the legislature to send a copy of the resolution to Strother as a record of the honor.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a teacher/coach for career achievements, recognizing and celebrating educational leadership.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 81: SCHOOLS/ENROLLMENT: Requests that the state Department of Education conduct a study of options for public school systems facing declining enrollment

This bill requests the state Department of Education to study options for public school systems and charter schools that are experiencing declining enrollment. The key provision involves expanding the scope of the study to explicitly include charter schools alongside traditional public school districts. By adding "and charter schools" to the text in multiple locations, the legislation ensures that both types of institutions are considered when exploring solutions to low enrollment numbers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates a study to find solutions for declining enrollment, aiming to protect and strengthen public and charter schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 27: EDUCATION/SPECIAL: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Education to analyze the adequacy of autism support services in the state

This bill requests the Louisiana Department of Health and Department of Education to create a comprehensive report on the current state of autism support services in Louisiana. The report will examine diagnostic practices, service availability, and access barriers across healthcare and education sectors, involving collaboration with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It will assess diagnostic tools, provider training, wait times, and compare Louisiana's services to other states to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The final report must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to inform future policy decisions regarding autism support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests analysis of autism support services in education, aiming to improve access and identify barriers for students with autism.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests analysis of autism support services to improve access and identify barriers, indicating intent to strengthen healthcare services for this population.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 28: NURSES: Creates the Task Force on School Nurse Orientation

This bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to improve school nurse training, enhancing student health support and educational environment in K-12 schools85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to improve school nurse training and orientation, strengthening healthcare access and quality in schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 482: SCHOOLS: Provides for career coaches to assist public middle and high school students and their parents in developing an individualized graduation plan for each student. (8/1/26)

This bill authorizes the use of career coaches alongside school counselors to help public middle and high school students and their parents create personalized graduation plans. The law establishes that these professionals can work together or independently to guide students through their educational goals. By adding career coaches to the list of eligible advisors, the measure expands the support options available to students without changing the core requirement of developing an individualized plan.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational support by authorizing career coaches to assist students in creating personalized graduation plans, enhancing student guidance and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Louisiana · House May 26, 2026

HCR 26: STUDENT/STANDARDS: Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education incorporate the science of human growth and development into content standards and to provide curriculum and instructional materials on its website

This bill requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to update science and health education standards to include the science of human growth and development, specifically covering prenatal growth and fetal development. It asks the board to provide age-appropriate instructional materials, such as high-definition ultrasound videos or computer-generated animations, on its website to support teaching these topics. The resolution also requires the board to submit a written report to state education committees by March 1, 2027, detailing any actions taken in response to these requests. This is a non-binding concurrent resolution that urges the board to consider these changes rather than mandating them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances science education by requiring inclusion of human growth and development in standards, expanding curriculum content and providing instructional materials for teachers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 522: SCHOOLS: Provides for approval for charter schools that specialize in vocational and technical education to meet workforce demands for high demand and high wage jobs. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill creates a new pathway for establishing vocational and technical charter schools in Louisiana that bypass local school boards and go directly to the state board for approval. To qualify, these schools must offer programs aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and energy, and they must receive a formal resolution of support from the State Board of Commerce and Industry. The legislation allows up to 50% of student enrollment to be reserved for children of employees or residents working in the specific industry the school serves, while also permitting industry representatives to sit on the school's governing board. Additionally, the bill requires charter agreements to include memorandums of understanding with local businesses to provide support such as internships and career counseling.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a specific approval pathway for vocational and technical charter schools, expanding educational access and enhancing student programs for workforce preparation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education