Education

This bill requires all K-12 school employees in Louisiana to immediately report any threats of violence or terrorism to local law enforcement and, if applicable, to the school administrator. It also mandates that law enforcement agencies forward these threat reports to the state's Louisiana Fusion Center within seven days, while protecting the privacy of students and individuals who made the reports. Additionally, the bill establishes a program where the Fusion Center will conduct free physical security assessments of public schools every three years starting in 2027, with optional assessments available for charter and nonpublic schools. The assessments will identify safety vulnerabilities and provide nonbinding recommendations for improvements, but schools are not required to implement these suggestions and will be protected from liability regardless of their decisions.

This bill allows Louisiana State University to buy and sell specific real estate properties while reserving mineral rights for the state. The amendment ensures that any minerals beneath the land remain under state ownership in accordance with the state constitution. It directly affects the university's ability to manage its land assets without transferring ownership of the resources below the surface. The legislation focuses on clarifying property transactions rather than changing existing laws about mineral rights.

SB 501, known as the Campus Awareness Initiative, requires public colleges and universities in Louisiana to display specific signs in student health centers. These signs, which must feature the message "Worried about STIs? Just Check!" along with a link to state resources, aim to promote awareness of sexually transmitted infection prevention, screening, and treatment. The Louisiana Department of Health or a designated nonprofit organization is responsible for designing and producing these durable signs, though the department may use donated funds or accept donated signs to cover costs. This bill directly affects public postsecondary institutions and their health services by mandating the placement of these informational displays in patient admission, waiting, and consultation areas.

SB 353 requires the Louisiana State University (LSU) Board of Supervisors to make student identification cards available as digital credentials in LA Wallet by August 1, 2027. This bill directly affects LSU students, enabling them to use a digital version of their physical student ID through Louisiana's official digital wallet system. The key provision mandates that LSU must implement this digital ID option by the specified deadline, aligning with existing state rules for LA Wallet. The bill does not change student ID requirements but provides a digital alternative for campus access and official purposes.

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.