HB 351 repeals two specific provisions related to Louisiana's reentry preparation program for formerly incarcerated individuals. It removes a requirement (R.S. 15:827.1(E)) about reentry programs and eliminates an entrepreneurial educational curriculum component within that program. This bill directly affects inmates participating in Louisiana's reentry programs by removing these specific policy requirements from state law. The change is procedural, with no new requirements or funding added.
SB 95 creates a new Type 2 charter school category specifically for vocational and technical education programs designed to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage "STAR jobs" (as defined by Louisiana Works). It requires applicants to obtain a resolution of support from Louisiana’s Board of Commerce and Industry and allows enrollment preferences for students whose parents work in designated economic sectors. Charter agreements must specify programs aligned with STAR jobs and restrict business donations for major facility improvements or technology (valued at 50%+ of per-pupil state funding). This directly affects public schools partnering to offer vocational courses, charter applicants seeking vocational programs, and students pursuing career-focused education.
HB 678 allows Louisiana students who qualified for a TOPS scholarship but completed their undergraduate degree at an out-of-state college to use unused TOPS funds for medical or dental school in Louisiana. Students must sign a repayment agreement for the unused amount plus interest, but are exempt from repayment if they complete a residency program or practice medicine/dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after residency. The bill limits unused funds to eight semesters or equivalent and caps payments at the tuition cost of Louisiana’s highest-cost public university. It requires the Board of Regents to establish rules for repayment collection and exceptions.
SB 338 requires Louisiana schools to follow specific procedures for investigating student bullying reports. It directly affects schools, students involved in bullying incidents, and their parents or guardians. The bill mandates that schools take disciplinary action against bullies after confirming incidents, report criminal bullying to police, and require bullies and their parents to complete court-approved decision-making courses. The State Board of Education must develop these procedures, which include parent meetings before disciplinary steps. The bill is pending review by the Education Committee after being prefiled on February 27, 2026.
SB 376, the "Learn and Earn Act," creates a new program allowing Louisiana public high schools to partner with businesses for paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities. It requires school boards to establish career practicums through written agreements with businesses that ensure fair value exchange (e.g., businesses provide equivalent benefit for school resources used) and align with state-approved career pathways. The program directly affects high school students - especially in rural or underserved communities - by offering compensated job training in fields like healthcare or technology while meeting educational requirements. Key provisions mandate that these practicums operate exclusively within defined instructional boundaries, prioritize student safety/supervision, and integrate financial literacy and employability skills.
SB 14 allows retired Louisiana teachers to return to eligible teaching positions while receiving partial retirement benefits, affecting those who retired before June 2010, are age 65 or older, or return within 12 months of retirement. Retirees can choose between two options: working with earnings capped at 50% of their original salary (receiving reduced benefits but no additional retirement credits) or suspending benefits to regain full membership during reemployment, with a supplemental benefit calculated upon leaving. The bill requires retirees to pay employee contributions during reemployment but refunds these contributions (without interest) upon termination, while employer contributions are retained. Disability retirees are excluded, and the bill includes reporting requirements with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
HB 42 creates a phased retirement program for Louisiana teachers in the Teachers' Retirement System. It allows eligible teachers to gradually transition to full retirement by working reduced hours (e.g., 50% effort = 50% of full benefit) while receiving a proportionally reduced benefit based on their work percentage. During participation, their retirement benefit, compensation, and service credits are frozen at the program start date, and neither they nor their employer pay contributions to the retirement plan. Starting July 2027, employers will cover the full monthly administrative fee for the program, shifting from current cost-sharing. The bill is pending legislative action and would affect current teachers in the system who qualify for phased retirement under their employer’s policy.
SB 13 modifies how Louisiana's Teachers' Retirement System calculates employer contributions and handles investment returns. It changes the method for applying excess investment returns to reduce the system's debt, specifically requiring reamortization (resetting payment schedules) when the system reaches 80% funding or every five years starting in 2019. This affects the state's payments into the retirement fund and directly impacts public school teachers' retirement benefits. The bill repeals outdated calculation rules and clarifies how future contributions will be applied to the system's debt.
HB 28 amends Louisiana's teacher certification appeals process to give the state superintendent of education new authority. It allows the superintendent to override a Teacher Certification Appeals Council's denial of certification if the denial resulted from circumstances beyond the applicant's control (e.g., administrative errors), but not if the certification would conflict with state or federal law. This applies to applicants denied certification after January 1, 2025, including retroactive review of past denials. The bill directly affects educators seeking certification who have been denied by the appeals council. The key change is adding this superintendent override option while maintaining the council's decision as final except under these specific conditions.
