HB 749 authorizes Louisiana’s Tuition Trust Authority to hire a private program manager to administer three existing savings programs: ABLE (for people with disabilities), START (for college savings), and START K12 (for K-12 education). It allows the authority to contract with this manager for account management and investment of funds after December 31, 2026, or when the contract is signed - whichever comes later. Until that date, the state continues managing interest rates, investments, and fund transfers under current rules. The bill updates statutes to formalize this transition and requires coordination with the state treasurer and legislative leaders. This change affects how Louisiana’s education savings programs operate, shifting administrative control to a contracted provider while maintaining existing program structures.
HB 256 clarifies that school employees, including those in charter schools, must follow existing mandatory reporter laws. It directly affects teachers, staff, and other school employees who are already required to report suspected child abuse under Louisiana law. The bill amends two statutes to ensure school employees comply with training and reporting requirements previously mandated for child care providers, removing any ambiguity about charter schools being exempt. This creates a consistent policy requiring all school employees to complete Department of Children and Family Services training and report suspected abuse.
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.
This bill directs the Louisiana Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive study on the state's need-based financial aid programs. The study must examine eligibility rules, how well current aid meets student needs, and how these programs align with workforce goals. It also requires comparing Louisiana's approach with other states and identifying barriers that prevent students from accessing available help. The Board of Regents must submit its findings and recommendations to several legislative committees by February 15, 2027.
This bill creates a K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study how public schools can better advise students on career and academic options. The task force will develop recommendations for a statewide plan that helps guide students through their education. The bill also adds two specific representatives to the task force: the executive director of Louisiana Kids Matter and the chairman of Louisiana Associated Builders and Contractors. These changes aim to establish a formal process for improving student guidance in public schools without mandating specific outcomes.
This bill establishes a Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force within the Louisiana Education Department to oversee programs that connect students with real-world job experiences. The task force will be composed of representatives from various sectors, including school superintendents, business leaders, economic development organizations, and public charter schools. Recent amendments adjust the number of members from specific groups and clarify that one member must represent a medium-to-large business. The group is designed to coordinate efforts across urban and rural K-12 schools to improve workforce preparation for students.
This bill requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a data system for collecting consistent information on all state financial aid programs. It directly affects postsecondary institutions that accept students receiving Taylor Opportunity Program for Students awards, as they must submit the required data. The system will track financial aid trends, effectiveness, and student outcomes to help evaluate how well these programs work. Institutions must follow the specific data format determined by the administering agency to ensure uniform reporting across the state.
This bill allows charter schools in Louisiana to prioritize enrollment for kindergarten students who attended specific early learning centers. It directly affects charter schools and the families of young children by creating a formal preference system for certain preschool experiences. Under the new rule, schools can give preference to students who attended a center run by the charter school itself or a separate licensed center where the student spent at least 75 days and an enrollment agreement exists between the two organizations. The legislation adds this option to existing charter school requirements without mandating that schools use the preference, leaving the decision to individual charter schools.
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.
HB 196 amends Louisiana law (R.S. 17:1208) to establish that public school teachers (excluding those with annual leave) may use up to eight personal leave days per school year without pay loss. Teachers must provide 24 hours' notice to their principal, and this leave is deducted from their current year's sick leave balance. The bill specifies that personal leave cannot be carried over to future years or paid out upon retirement or death. It directly affects Louisiana public school teachers by clarifying their personal leave entitlements and integration with existing sick leave policies.
