Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 636: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to hazing at public postsecondary education institutions (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates hazing prevention education and reporting in public colleges, enhancing student safety and institutional accountability within higher education.90% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 470: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Enacts the Louisiana Workforce Development Equity and Opportunity Act (OR +$10,000,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 470 establishes Louisiana's Workforce Equity and Opportunity Program to support low-income residents from underrepresented minority groups in high-growth sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and information technology. The bill provides grants to training providers (with at least 60% of participants meeting targeted criteria) and direct financial support covering training costs, living expenses during training, and certification fees for eligible individuals. It prioritizes Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges in low-income areas, allocating $10 million annually for implementation while requiring employer partnerships for guaranteed interviews and prevailing-wage jobs upon program completion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded grants and direct financial support for workforce training, increasing public spending on equity programs as part of fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants and financial support for workforce training programs targeting underrepresented groups, expanding educational access to high-growth sectors.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly targets clean energy as a high-growth sector for workforce training, providing grants and financial support for clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTargets healthcare as a high-growth sector for workforce training, supporting medical professional development through grants and financial aid for training/certification.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides grants and financial support for training, living expenses, and certification fees to help underrepresented groups enter high-growth sectors, advancing employment opportunities and equity.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly targets information technology as a high-growth sector for workforce training, funding skills development and equity in tech careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Professional Licensing Workforce Development

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 174: PUBLIC LANDS: Authorizes the transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish. (gov sig) (EN +$775,000 SG RV See Note)

SB 174 authorizes Louisiana Tech University and the state commissioner of administration to transfer a specific parcel of state-owned property (Lot 1, Shreve Park Industrial Campus) in Caddo Parish to the Caddo Parish School Board, excluding mineral rights. The bill requires the parties to agree on terms proportional to the property's appraised value and execute necessary documents for the transfer. This legislation directly affects the Caddo Parish School Board, which would gain ownership of the described parcel for potential educational or community use, while the state retains mineral rights to the land.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers state property to Caddo Parish School Board, directly supporting school infrastructure through asset acquisition for educational facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 237: CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 237 requires schools in Louisiana to immediately report allegations of physical or sexual abuse against school employees to the state Department of Education. It creates a database tracking these reports and mandates schools check this database before hiring new employees to identify potential patterns of abuse. The bill also requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the state child ombudsman within three business days of child abuse or neglect fatalities or near-fatalities, including specific details like prior department involvement. Additionally, it directs the child ombudsman to notify legislators within 24 hours of any child death linked to abuse or neglect investigations. These provisions directly affect schools, school employees, child welfare agencies, and state legislators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school safety protocols for student protection, aligning with educational environment safeguards by requiring abuse reporting and background checks.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 407: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (EN -$1,100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 407 lowers the minimum age requirement for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, a state-funded higher education assistance program. The bill phases in reduced age thresholds over several academic years: applicants must be at least 20 for 2024-2025, 19 for 2025-2026, 18 for 2026-2027, and 17 for 2027-2028 onward. This change directly affects prospective college students seeking program eligibility based on their age at application. The policy modifies existing eligibility rules to allow younger applicants to qualify for tuition assistance at Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers age requirement for state-funded higher education program, expanding access to assistance for younger students by reducing eligibility barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: HIGHER EDUCATION: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

HB 649 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a single statewide application system for high school students seeking dual enrollment courses at public colleges. It mandates all public postsecondary institutions to participate in this system unless they provide written notice of non-participation to their management board. The bill also directs management boards to develop plans for improving student access and cost efficiency, with implementation required by the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects high school students, public colleges, and their administrative boards by replacing multiple application processes with a standardized, statewide approach.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates statewide dual enrollment application system to expand college access for high school students and requires cost efficiency plans, directly advancing educational access in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 271: EDUCATION: Creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education and abolishes the Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 271 creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education to evaluate and recommend improvements for K-8 foundational literacy and numeracy programs, replacing the dissolved Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission. The new commission, composed of diverse stakeholders including educators, parents, state officials, and experts, will research education policies, analyze data, and develop evidence-based recommendations for early education practices. It must submit annual reports to the governor, legislature, and education boards, with the state Department of Education providing staff support and transferring the old commission's records. The bill directly affects Louisiana's K-8 education system by establishing a permanent advisory body focused on early skill development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates commission to evaluate and improve K-8 literacy/numeracy programs through evidence-based recommendations, strengthening foundational education practices.95% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 269: SCHOOLS: Provides for the "Charlie Kirk Success Sequencing Act" relative to student success. (8/1/26) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 269, the "Charlie Kirk Success Sequencing Act," requires Louisiana public and nonpublic high schools to provide students with information about a specific "success sequence" designed to reduce poverty risk. The bill mandates teaching that students should complete three steps in order: earn a high school diploma or equivalent, enter full-time work (either immediately or after postsecondary education), and marry before having children. This is based on cited statistics linking this sequence to lower poverty rates, higher graduation rates, and reduced incarceration, as outlined in the bill's legislative findings. The law applies directly to Louisiana high school students through required curriculum content in preventive education or program of study offerings.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific curriculum content (diploma-work-marriage sequence) for all high schools, restricting academic freedom by imposing a predetermined life path on education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 572: SCHOOLS: Creates the Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program (OR +$201,705 GF EX See Note)

HB 572 creates Louisiana's Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program to support public schools with 60% or more students eligible for free/reduced lunch. The program provides grants for schools to hire counselors/social workers, train staff in trauma-informed practices, implement social-emotional learning curricula, and establish community mentorship networks. Participating schools must collaborate with Louisiana universities to track attendance, discipline, and mental health outcomes, reporting annually to the Department of Education. The program requires legislative funding and will generate annual reports for the legislature on results and recommendations. This pilot aims to improve student well-being through evidence-based school-based support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grants for counselors, trauma training, and social-emotional curricula in high-need schools, directly advancing student mental health and support services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school mental health services via grants for counselors, trauma training, and SEL programs, directly supporting mental health access in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 98: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Adds certain school employees to the definition of "educator" relative to prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student. (8/1/26)

SB 98 amends Louisiana law to expand the definition of "educator" to include school resource officers and security guards, in addition to existing roles like teachers and coaches. This change means the prohibition on sexual conduct between an educator and a student will now apply to these additional school staff members. The bill directly affects school security personnel and resource officers by bringing them under this legal protection, while extending coverage to students who interact with them. The amendment will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands legal protections for students by including school security personnel under educator misconduct prohibitions, strengthening student safety safeguards in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers