Education

passed · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 42: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes and acknowledges the significant contributions of the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana to the education and training of students and workers and designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

This bill designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the state Capitol to honor the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana. The resolution formally recognizes these institutions' contributions to student education and workforce training across the state. It does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the colleges' role in providing affordable education and technical training. The bill is transmitted to the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for official record.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors community and technical colleges' contributions to education and workforce training, providing symbolic recognition of their role in affordable education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1150: STUDENTS: Requires the administration of trauma screenings to public school students (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana public schools to administer trauma screenings to all students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade each school year. The Louisiana Department of Health will select and provide a screening tool to each school board to facilitate these assessments. The legislation directly affects public school administrators, teachers, and students by mandating regular mental health evaluations. Schools must implement this screening process as part of their standard operations without additional funding specified in the text.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates trauma screenings to support student mental health and well-being in K-12 education, enhancing student programs and educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates trauma screenings in schools, directly supporting mental health services and student well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 3: CAPITAL OUTLAY: Provides for the Omnibus Bond Act

This bill establishes a framework for Louisiana to manage its state capital improvement projects through a five-year bond program. It repeals outdated bond authorizations that cannot be used due to inflation or impracticality while authorizing new bonds for essential projects. The State Bond Commission will issue general obligation bonds to fund capital improvements, with some projects requiring dedicated revenue streams like student fees to cover debt payments. This legislation creates a systematic process for updating bond authorizations annually to ensure only feasible and necessary projects receive funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes bond framework to fund essential capital improvements and manages state fiscal resources through structured debt financing for public projects.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes bonds for capital improvements including potential student fee-funded projects, which can support school infrastructure and educational facilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 23, 2026

HCR 29: STUDENT/DISCIPLINE: Urges and requests public school governing authorities and employees to comply with and enforce the bullying laws of the state of Louisiana

This bill is a concurrent resolution that urges Louisiana public school authorities and employees to comply with existing state bullying laws. It directly affects school administrators, teachers, staff, and volunteers by reminding them of their legal responsibilities to prevent and address bullying. The resolution does not create new laws but asks schools to follow current requirements that mandate anti-bullying policies, reporting procedures, and disciplinary measures. It requests that the state superintendent distribute copies of the resolution to local school systems to reinforce these obligations. The bill is non-binding and serves as a reminder of existing legal duties rather than establishing new policy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes safe learning environment by enforcing anti-bullying laws, protecting students and supporting educators in maintaining positive school climate75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 787: CURRICULA: Removes successful completion of a computer science course as a requirement for TOPS qualification (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 787 removes computer science as a mandatory course requirement for Louisiana students seeking TOPS-Tech scholarships. The bill amends the state's education code to change the "nine credits in Jump Start course sequences" requirement so that computer science is no longer a fixed credit; students may now fulfill this credit with other approved career-focused courses instead. This directly affects high school students in Louisiana who qualify for TOPS-Tech awards by altering the specific course requirements they must complete. The change simplifies the path to TOPS eligibility by offering flexibility in course selection within career pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes mandatory computer science requirement for TOPS-Tech scholarships, allowing other career-focused courses. Expands student options for scholarship eligibility, supporting educational access and flexibility in curriculum pathways.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRemoves mandatory computer science requirement for TOPS-Tech scholarships, reducing emphasis on tech education and course focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education

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signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 738: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to student disciplinary proceedings (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 738 proposes changes to disciplinary procedures at Louisiana public colleges and universities for student misconduct. It requires institutions to provide detailed written notices of charges - including specific policy violations and evidence - to students facing suspension (10+ days) or expulsion, and grants accused students and alleged victims the right to be represented by an attorney or advocate at their own expense. The bill sets evidence standards (clear and convincing evidence for most cases, preponderance of evidence only for serious injury/death cases with documented proof), mandates access to disciplinary files 7+ business days before hearings, and requires written appeal decisions. Sanctions cannot take effect until all appeals are resolved, with a 14-day window to file an appeal after a decision. The bill applies to all students and student organizations at public postsecondary institutions in Louisiana.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances due process protections for students in disciplinary proceedings at public colleges, supporting fair educational access and procedural rights within higher education.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 380: COLLEGES/COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL: Authorizes any institution under the supervision and management of the Bd. of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges to establish a pilot program with a school system to increase awareness of and access to certain training programs (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 380 authorizes Sowela Technical Community College to create a pilot program partnering with local public school systems in Louisiana. The program aims to increase awareness and access to commercial driver's license (CDL), entry-level driver training, and transportation/logistics career programs for students. The partnership requires approval from both Sowela's governing board and the local school board before implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes college-school partnerships to increase access to career training programs, expanding educational opportunities for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 558: TEACHERS/SALARY: Provides relative to public school teacher compensation (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 558, the "Teacher Pay Modernization Act," requires Louisiana school districts and charter schools to gradually increase teacher salaries to close the gap between their average pay and the Southern Regional Education Board's average. School districts must reduce their salary gap by 25% by 2027-2028, 50% by 2028-2029, 75% by 2029-2030, and fully align with the regional average by 2030-2031. The bill mandates annual reports tracking district salaries, statewide averages, and regional comparisons, and specifies that state funds allocated for this purpose must be used solely for permanent base salary increases - not benefits, bonuses, or operating costs. It directly affects all public school governing authorities (including charter schools) and requires them to adjust salary schedules to meet these phased targets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased school district funding for teacher salaries to close regional pay gap, directly advancing public education budget allocation per bill requirements.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates progressive teacher salary increases to close regional pay gap, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates progressive teacher salary increases to close regional pay gap, directly advancing worker compensation standards for public school employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 178: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. (8/1/26)

SB 178 updates Louisiana law to clarify the responsibilities of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. The bill specifically adds river water research and agricultural youth development programs (including FFA and 4-H) to the center's existing duties of managing statewide agricultural extension and research. This change directly affects the LSU Agricultural Center, defining its administrative scope for existing programs. The bill does not create new programs or funding but formally incorporates these activities into the center's legal mandate. It is currently pending review by the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds FFA/4-H youth development programs to LSU Agricultural Center's duties, supporting agricultural education initiatives without new funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 268: STUDENTS: Provides relative to career-related activities for public school students (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 268 requires Louisiana public schools to provide career exposure activities for students in grades 6-8, mandating at least six activities annually per grade level. Three of these activities must align with high-demand Louisiana jobs (via Louisiana Works), involve employer interaction, link to career pathways, or offer work-based learning. It also requires schools to provide at least one career awareness activity for K-5 students before fifth grade and document at least one activity per student in their Individualized Graduation Plan. School boards must annually certify compliance to the state Department of Education and maintain records of these activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career exposure activities for grades 6-8 and K-5, aligning with workforce needs and enhancing student career pathways per Louisiana Works requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education