HB 1112 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

EARLY CHILDHOOD: Provides relative to prekindergarten programs

This bill amends Louisiana laws governing prekindergarten programs by removing the requirement that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers, while applying child safety and welfare standards to all school-based prekindergarten programs. The legislation allows the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve nonpublic prekindergarten programs and authorizes the board to adopt emergency rules when necessary. Key provisions include revised child-to-staff ratios that vary by age group and a phased implementation schedule, with stricter ratios taking effect starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also clarifies definitions for "camp" and "early learning center" to distinguish between standalone programs and those attached to schools.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Last action May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1112 Reengrossed → HB1112 Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 27, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to remove several sponsors and update the list of sponsors. Substantive changes include clarifying that nonpublic schools must meet curriculum standards equal to public schools, establishing specific age requirements for prekindergarten programs (three for nonpublic, four for public), and mandating that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding prekindergarten programs was expanded to include explicit age eligibility rules and licensing requirements for nonpublic schools, while the list of bill sponsors was modified.

TECHNICAL

Removed Representatives Butler, Domangue, Jacob Landry, Marcelle, Mena, and Sawyer from the list of bill sponsors.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement that nonpublic elementary or secondary schools must maintain a curriculum at least equal to that of public schools to receive approval.

REQUIREMENT

Established that nonpublic prekindergarten programs must be licensed as early learning centers, while public programs must comply with specific child safety and welfare standards.

Clarified age eligibility for prekindergarten, setting the minimum age at three for nonpublic programs and four for public programs.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized local school boards to consider closing public prekindergarten programs that show persistent or egregious noncompliance with safety standards.

Floor votes · House Apr 27, 2026

How they voted

83–11

Passed · 11 other

Total votes 105

Apr 27, 2026

D Democratic33

12 Yea 11 Nay 10

36% Yea

R Republican72

71 Yea 1

98% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 19, 2026

Committee

Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 82, nays 11. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (12-0).

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.

lower

1 primary · 22 co-sponsors