Education

passed · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 49: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Thrive Academy and Thrive Foundation for their commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students in Louisiana and designates March 23, 2026, as Thrive Day at the capitol

This resolution formally recognizes Thrive Academy and Thrive Foundation for their work providing educational opportunities to students across Louisiana. It designates March 23, 2026, as Thrive Day at the state capitol to honor the institution and its students. The measure does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the organization's efforts to support student success and community development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill commends Thrive Academy for expanding educational opportunities and designates a day to honor their work supporting student success, indicating positive stance toward education access.65% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1149: CURRICULA: Requires each public school to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence into an existing course of study for each student in grades six through twelve (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana public schools to include artificial intelligence instruction in their existing courses for students in grades six through twelve. The law directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules to implement this requirement. Schools must integrate AI education into current curricula rather than creating separate classes. The measure applies to all public schools in the state and affects middle and high school students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates AI instruction in K-12 curriculum, expanding educational content and preparing students for modern technology.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI instruction in public schools, advancing digital literacy and technology education for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 20: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Provides for legislative approval of the MFP formula for FY 2026-2027 (OR -$12,159,331 GF EX See Note)

This bill approves a state funding formula for public schools in Louisiana for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which determines how much money each school district receives based on student needs and local financial capacity. The formula calculates funding through four levels: a base amount based on student enrollment and special needs like poverty or disabilities, an incentive for districts to exceed minimum requirements, specific allocations for staff pay raises and mandated costs, and additional funds for specialized programs and charter schools. The legislation applies to city and parish school systems, various types of charter schools, and state university lab schools, ensuring funds are used only for educational purposes such as instruction, staff salaries, and facility maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill approves state funding formula for public schools, increasing financial resources for education services and student needs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill approves state funding formula for public schools, determining funding based on student needs and local capacity, directly supporting education funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education School Funding

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passed · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 40: COMMENDATIONS: Recognizes and commends the members of the Louisiana School Boards Association and the 2026 board of directors.

This bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes the members of the Louisiana School Boards Association and its 2026 board of directors for their work supporting public education in the state. The resolution specifically names individual directors and officers from various parishes and school districts, acknowledging their volunteer efforts to advocate for students across Louisiana's public school systems. It directs the Senate to formally commend these individuals and requires a copy of the resolution to be sent to the association's executive director. This type of bill does not change laws or policies but serves to honor the contributions of school board leaders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill commends school board members for supporting public education, indicating positive stance toward education advocacy75% confidence

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 72: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Sophia Patout and Layla Porter on winning the Future Farmers of America building communities national championship award for their Coastal Restoration Heroes program

This resolution formally commends Sophia Patout and Layla Porter for winning a national Future Farmers of America award for their Coastal Restoration Heroes program. The two students from St. Amant High School led an initiative that planted over 6,000 native plants to stabilize shorelines and protect approximately 18 acres of salt marsh on West Grand Terre Island. The document recognizes their work in mobilizing student volunteers and partnering with restoration organizations to combat coastal land loss in Louisiana. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a law that changes policy or creates new requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes student achievement in educational program (FFA), supporting student engagement and extracurricular educational initiatives85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes students for coastal restoration work that planted native plants to stabilize shorelines and protect salt marshes, directly supporting environmental conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1008: COLLEGES/FACULTY: Prohibits public postsecondary education institutions from retaliating against faculty members for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academic freedom or free speech

This bill protects faculty members at Louisiana's public colleges and universities from retaliation when they report concerns about misconduct, abuse, or other improprieties, or when they exercise their academic freedom or free speech rights. It defines retaliation to include actions like firing, demotion, suspension, or negative evaluations, and explicitly states that faculty do not need to give prior notice before reporting issues or speaking out. The law imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation, allows faculty to sue for damages including lost wages and emotional harm, and requires institutions to adopt uniform reporting and investigation policies. Additionally, the bill mandates that colleges submit annual reports to the legislature on any complaints received regarding retaliation and removes sovereign immunity protections for institutions that violate these provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects faculty rights and academic freedom, supporting educators and strengthening postsecondary education institutions.85% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 441: STUDENTS: Provides relative to programs for prekindergarten-aged children. (gov sig) (EN -$6,530 GF RV See Note)

This bill establishes and regulates prekindergarten programs in Louisiana by setting child safety and welfare standards for both public and nonpublic schools. It requires all prekindergarten programs to maintain specific staff-to-child ratios and ensure at least two staff members are present when more than four children are in a facility. The legislation also mandates that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers and requires parents to acknowledge that these programs are not subject to federal daycare regulations. Additionally, the bill directs local school boards to develop mixed provider delivery models for full-day, year-round prekindergarten instruction starting in the 2023-2024 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes and regulates prekindergarten programs, setting safety standards and staff requirements to enhance early education access and quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

passed · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 29: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates Monday, April 13, 2026, as Knock Knock Children's Museum Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and recognizes the museum's contributions to early childhood education, family engagement, and economic vitality in Louisiana.

This bill designates Monday, April 13, 2026, as Knock Knock Children's Museum Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the museum's work. The resolution recognizes the museum's contributions to early childhood education, family engagement, and economic development in Louisiana. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the museum's impact on children and families across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes museum's contributions to early childhood education and family engagement, promoting educational access for young children.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 402: SCHOOLS: Provides for parental choice in education and the Preservation of Religious Education Act. (gov sig)

This bill amends Louisiana education laws to clarify and strengthen parental rights to choose religious education for their children. It directly affects parents, private religious schools, and state and local government agencies that oversee education. The key provision ensures that government agencies cannot impose restrictions on religious schools that are more severe than those applied to secular businesses or public schools. It also defines various types of religious educational institutions and confirms that existing religious freedom protections apply to all government educational agencies. The legislation codifies previous court rulings and federal constitutional protections regarding parental control over religious education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens parental choice and protects religious education options, expanding educational access and rights for families.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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introduced · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 34: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Geaux Far Louisiana and designates Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as Geaux Far Louisiana Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

This bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes and commends the Geaux Far Louisiana coalition for its work in improving early childhood services in the state. The resolution designates Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as Geaux Far Louisiana Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the organization's efforts. Geaux Far Louisiana is a group focused on supporting children from prenatal care through age four by promoting a unified system for early development, health, and education. The bill has no legal requirements or funding changes; it serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the coalition's advocacy work.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill commends organization improving early childhood services and designates day to honor efforts supporting children from prenatal care through age four, indicating support for educational access and early development.75% confidence

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