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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 157: SCHOOLS: Provides for paid parental leave for eligible employees. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 157 would require Louisiana public school districts to provide eligible educators with six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave at 100% of base pay for qualifying events like birth, adoption, foster placement, or pregnancy loss. This applies to full- or part-time school employees with at least one year of service, covering both parents who are eligible. Schools must adopt written policies, provide advance notice to employees about their rights, and prohibit counting this leave as an absence that could lead to disciplinary action. The bill does not override existing better benefits in union contracts or other laws but mandates this new standard for public school employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid parental leave for educators, directly supporting teacher retention and well-being in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 6 weeks paid parental leave (100% base pay) for school employees, expanding worker benefits and protecting parental rights per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 271: EDUCATION: Creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education and abolishes the Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates commission to evaluate and improve K-8 literacy/numeracy programs through evidence-based recommendations, strengthening foundational education practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HCR 119: HIGHER EDUCATION: Establishes the Louisiana College without Debt Commission

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a commission to study and improve financial aid, aiming to expand access and reduce debt for higher education students.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 992: EARLY CHILDHOOD: Requires assignment of early childhood education identification numbers to children in certain early childhood education programs (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill requires that children enrolled in certain early childhood education programs receive unique identification numbers assigned by the state Department of Education. The key provision mandates that local public school boards link these early childhood education identification numbers to students' regular student identification numbers by December 31, 2027, specifically for research and analysis purposes. The legislation applies to prekindergarten programs at public schools and aims to improve data tracking across early childhood education systems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes student identification system for early childhood education programs, enhancing data tracking and program administration for research and analysis purposes.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 351: CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the reentry preparation program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves entrepreneurial curriculum from reentry program, reducing rehabilitation components per bill summary95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves entrepreneurial educational curriculum component from reentry program, directly eliminating an educational requirement for formerly incarcerated individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 399: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council. (1/1/27) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 399 creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to protect the state's colleges and universities from foreign adversaries. The law requires institutions to report and restrict gifts, contracts, research partnerships, and academic collaborations with entities from countries or groups designated as foreign adversaries, while prohibiting certain travel and gifts from such sources. It defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "foreign source," and includes penalties for violations, such as the theft of trade secrets. The bill directly affects all Louisiana institutions of higher education that grant degrees or have a physical presence in the state.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts foreign research partnerships and gifts at universities, limiting academic collaborations per security mandates.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 81: SCHOOLS/ENROLLMENT: Requests that the state Department of Education conduct a study of options for public school systems facing declining enrollment

This bill requests the state Department of Education to study options for public school systems and charter schools that are experiencing declining enrollment. The key provision involves expanding the scope of the study to explicitly include charter schools alongside traditional public school districts. By adding "and charter schools" to the text in multiple locations, the legislation ensures that both types of institutions are considered when exploring solutions to low enrollment numbers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates a study to find solutions for declining enrollment, aiming to protect and strengthen public and charter schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 14: EDUCATION: Expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and memorializes congress to fully cooperate with these efforts

This resolution expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and asks Congress to cooperate with those efforts. It directly affects the Louisiana Legislature by formally recording its position on a federal policy change. The bill cites the Tenth Amendment to argue that education powers should remain with states rather than the federal government. It does not create new laws or change state education policy, but rather sends a message to the federal government about Louisiana's stance on the issue.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill seeks to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which would restrict federal educational oversight and programs affecting K-12 and higher education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 13: TEACHERS RETIREMENT: Provides relative to the determination of employer contributions and amortization of certain actuarial gains. (gov sig) (EN SEE ACTUARIAL NOTE FC)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies retirement funding to apply excess returns toward debt reduction, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill modifies retirement system funding method, reducing state contributions by applying investment returns to debt reduction, directly impacting teacher benefits and potentially weakening retirement security.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentModifies retirement funding to secure teacher benefits by reducing system debt, preventing underfunding of retirement obligations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education