Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 272: STUDENTS: Expands student eligibility for participation in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) program (EG +$2,600,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 272 expands Louisiana's R.E.A.D. program to include all students in elementary schools that received a "D" or "F" school performance grade in the prior year. It directly affects students in these low-performing elementary schools by requiring the state Department of Education to ship books quarterly, along with family literacy resources for at-home reading engagement. The bill mandates that schools distribute these materials to every prekindergarten through fifth-grade student. These changes aim to increase access to reading resources in schools needing academic support, as specified in the bill's new eligibility criteria and distribution requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to reading resources for students in low-performing schools, mandating quarterly book distribution and family literacy materials to improve educational outcomes.95% confidence

Track

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

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 314: REVENUE SHARING: Provides for the Revenue Sharing Distribution for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

HB 314 defines which local governments and special districts will receive state revenue sharing funds for fiscal year 2026-2027. It specifies eligible entities including parishes, school boards, fire protection districts, and water districts (like Red River Waterway District), while excluding certain levee districts and special taxing areas in specific parishes. The bill establishes that funding amounts will be calculated using population data from Louisiana State University’s annual estimates. This clarifies eligibility and distribution rules for Louisiana’s existing revenue sharing program, affecting hundreds of local taxing bodies across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncludes school boards as eligible recipients for state revenue sharing funds, directly supporting K-12 school funding allocation through fiscal distribution mechanism.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 218: SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs, addressing a key barrier to student learning and educational access in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires school food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs/public assistance, addressing a social determinant of health and supporting public health initiatives as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Primary Care

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 807: FUNDS/FUNDING: Establishes the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program to enhance workforce training programs to meet employer demand in certain industry sectors (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)

HB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a state treasury fund to allocate resources for workforce training programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for public education and economic development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes special fund to hire instructors and expand workforce training in community colleges, directly increasing funding for higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds workforce training for healthcare industry sectors via instructor capacity investments, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and employer demand needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds IT workforce training programs to meet employer demand in high-demand tech sectors within Louisiana's Community and Technical College System.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 325: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds alternative pathway for TOPS-Tech eligibility via early college coursework, expanding access to higher education scholarships for Louisiana students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 628: EARLY CHILDHOOD: Authorizes a school board to engage in a cooperative endeavor with a licensed early learning center to operate a microcenter at a school

HB 628 allows Louisiana school boards to partner with licensed early learning centers (Type III providers) to operate "microcenters" within schools for three-year-olds. These microcenters must meet all standards required of licensed early learning centers and prioritize serving economically disadvantaged children. The bill creates a formal framework for school boards and early learning centers to collaborate on early childhood education and care programs in school settings. It directly affects school districts, licensed early learning centers, and three-year-old children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. The policy change establishes a new operational model for early childhood education without altering existing licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes school-early learning center partnerships to expand early childhood access for disadvantaged students, directly advancing educational access and program development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 448: STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Authorizes scholarships provided for firefighters and police officers injured in the line of duty and spouses of firefighters and police officers injured or killed in the line of duty to be used for any postgraduate degree (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 448 expands existing scholarship programs to allow firefighters injured in the line of duty (or their spouses if the firefighter was killed or seriously injured resulting in inability to work) to use their benefits for master's degree programs, not just bachelor's degrees. The bill maintains full tuition and fee waivers (including room and board) and a $250-per-semester book stipend for qualifying individuals who maintain a "C" average. Eligibility requires meeting college entrance requirements and academic standards as full-time students. The policy change, funded by Louisiana's general state fund, applies to both injured firefighters and their spouses directly affected by on-duty injuries or fatalities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship eligibility to include master's degrees for firefighters' families, enhancing higher education access and opportunity within existing funding structure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands educational benefits for firefighters injured on duty, supporting career advancement and worker welfare through master's degree eligibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 531: STUDENT/DISCIPLINE: Provides relative to student disciplinary processes with respect to suspensions and expulsions

This Louisiana bill modifies student discipline procedures for suspensions and expulsions. It gives parents 5 days to request a school board review of expulsion recommendations and up to 10 school days to appeal to district court if the school board upholds the expulsion. The bill also repeals mandatory expulsion requirements for certain offenses. These changes directly affect parents and students in Louisiana public schools facing disciplinary action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals mandatory expulsions for certain offenses and adds due process, protecting students' educational access and fairness in disciplinary actions.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 935: TOPS: Provides for TOPS awards to students enrolled in graduate medical sciences at certain institutions (OR +$45,600 GF EX See Note)

HB 935 amends Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program to allow students who complete undergraduate degrees early (in under eight semesters) to continue receiving full scholarship benefits for graduate medical sciences programs. It applies only to nonpublic colleges or universities that meet four specific criteria: offering graduate medical sciences programs, being physically collocated with a public university since 2020, billing tuition through that public institution, and not being part of Louisiana's independent colleges association. Students must maintain academic standards to retain the award. This policy change expands TOPS coverage to graduate medical education at qualifying institutions without altering the core scholarship structure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends TOPS scholarship funding to graduate medical programs, expanding higher education access and financial support for students in specific STEM fields.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 935 expands funding for medical education by allowing TOPS scholarships for graduate medical sciences, directly supporting healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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