Education

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 283: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to incidents of assault and battery on students and school employees (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 283, the "Teacher's Shield Act," requires immediate suspension of students accused of assaulting or battering school employees (including teachers, substitutes, bus operators, or volunteers) on or off school property. If found guilty by a court or school hearing, students face mandatory expulsion for at least two full school semesters, with placement in an alternative school and required anger management, and cannot return to the school where the incident occurred. The bill also expands sick leave for school employees to cover medical, psychological, and rehabilitation treatment following such incidents. These changes aim to protect school staff and establish clear disciplinary consequences for student violence against employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects teachers by mandating expulsion for student assaults, enhancing school safety within education policy framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates immediate suspension for students assaulting school employees, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for teachers and staff.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 351: EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to children and family assistance programs. (8/1/26)

SB 351 modifies Louisiana's Early Childhood Education Fund rules by requiring local entities receiving state funds to provide a 1:1 match from non-government sources to expand childcare slots for families in the Child Care Assistance Program. It specifically targets quality slots in centers serving children under 15 months, limiting eligibility to economically disadvantaged families as defined by the State Board. The bill also expands the Advisory Council's role to advise on early education programs like Head Start and the Child Care Assistance Program. These changes directly affect local childcare providers and low-income families accessing state-funded early education services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands early education access for disadvantaged families by requiring 1:1 non-government match to increase childcare slots for under-15-month-olds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 749: FUNDS/INVESTMENTS: Authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for the administration of certain savings accounts (ABLE, START, and START K12 programs) and the investment of account funds (EN +$4,000,000 GF EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes administration of START K12 savings program, supporting K-12 educational funding access through private management contracts for savings accounts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education