Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 201: SCHOOLS/HIGH SCHOOL: Provides for a State Seal of Fine Arts to recognize high school graduates who meet certain academic eligibility criteria (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 201 creates a State Seal of Fine Arts to recognize Louisiana high school graduates who complete specific arts coursework. To earn the seal, students must complete four credits in one arts discipline (like music or visual arts), maintain a 3.0 GPA in those courses, and complete an arts-related capstone project or portfolio. The state superintendent will provide schools with an insignia to affix to qualifying students' diplomas or transcripts, while schools must track recipients and the State Board of Education will establish detailed implementation rules. This bill directly affects Louisiana public high school students pursuing arts education and requires participating schools to administer the recognition program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates State Seal of Fine Arts to recognize arts coursework completion, promoting arts education and student achievement in curriculum without funding cuts or restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 304: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides for accreditation for public colleges and universities. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 304 establishes new rules for accrediting Louisiana's public colleges and universities, giving the Board of Regents authority to set accreditation policies. It directly affects all public postsecondary institutions and their management boards (like those for LSU, Southern University, and community colleges). Key provisions require institutions to get management board approval before switching accreditors, mandate that new accreditors must prioritize student success, educational quality, affordability, and financial stability, and prohibit any accreditor from conditioning accreditation on legal violations. The bill also requires institutions to publicly post accreditation status updates on their websites.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accreditors prioritize student success and educational quality, strengthening oversight for public universities per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 392: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to requirements for posting suicide hotline information on school websites and student ID cards

HB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide hotline info on school sites/IDs, enhancing student safety programs within K-12 schools per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide hotline access on school websites/ID cards, directly supporting mental health services by improving student access to crisis resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 186: CRIME/THEFT: Creates the crime of theft of funds from the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 186 creates a new criminal offense for stealing funds from Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program, directly affecting administrators or officials who handle these scholarship funds. It sets tiered penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 20 years in prison for $25,000+ theft, up to 10 years for $5,000-$25,000, and lesser terms for smaller amounts. The bill also requires offenders to pay full restitution to victims of the theft. This law specifically targets misuse of scholarship funds, not general theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered prison terms for scholarship fund theft, expanding criminalization in sentencing without reform context.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects scholarship funds from theft, ensuring integrity of educational funding mechanisms and safeguarding student access to financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 327: MUSEUMS: Provides with respect to French immersion education programs at K-12 schools and designates a historical French Bible at the Louisiana State Museum as the official state book. (8/1/26) (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 327 designates the oldest French-language Bible in the Louisiana State Museum (a 1510s edition printed by Johannes Prevel and Jean Petit) as Louisiana's official state book. It also amends education law to formally recognize French immersion programs in K-12 schools, citing research that shows these programs improve English proficiency, academic achievement, and self-esteem for students. The bill emphasizes how French immersion preserves Louisiana's unique bilingual culture, history, and traditions. It does not create new funding or alter school operations but serves as a cultural acknowledgment. The bill is currently pending before the Education Committee (prefiled February 27, 2026).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFormally recognizes French immersion programs in K-12 schools, citing improved academic achievement and cultural preservation - directly enhances student educational options and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 636: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to hazing at public postsecondary education institutions (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates hazing prevention education and reporting in public colleges, enhancing student safety and institutional accountability within higher education.90% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 470: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Enacts the Louisiana Workforce Development Equity and Opportunity Act (OR +$10,000,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 470 establishes Louisiana's Workforce Equity and Opportunity Program to support low-income residents from underrepresented minority groups in high-growth sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and information technology. The bill provides grants to training providers (with at least 60% of participants meeting targeted criteria) and direct financial support covering training costs, living expenses during training, and certification fees for eligible individuals. It prioritizes Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges in low-income areas, allocating $10 million annually for implementation while requiring employer partnerships for guaranteed interviews and prevailing-wage jobs upon program completion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded grants and direct financial support for workforce training, increasing public spending on equity programs as part of fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants and financial support for workforce training programs targeting underrepresented groups, expanding educational access to high-growth sectors.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly targets clean energy as a high-growth sector for workforce training, providing grants and financial support for clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTargets healthcare as a high-growth sector for workforce training, supporting medical professional development through grants and financial aid for training/certification.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides grants and financial support for training, living expenses, and certification fees to help underrepresented groups enter high-growth sectors, advancing employment opportunities and equity.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly targets information technology as a high-growth sector for workforce training, funding skills development and equity in tech careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Professional Licensing Workforce Development

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 174: PUBLIC LANDS: Authorizes the transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish. (gov sig) (EN +$775,000 SG RV See Note)

SB 174 authorizes Louisiana Tech University and the state commissioner of administration to transfer a specific parcel of state-owned property (Lot 1, Shreve Park Industrial Campus) in Caddo Parish to the Caddo Parish School Board, excluding mineral rights. The bill requires the parties to agree on terms proportional to the property's appraised value and execute necessary documents for the transfer. This legislation directly affects the Caddo Parish School Board, which would gain ownership of the described parcel for potential educational or community use, while the state retains mineral rights to the land.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers state property to Caddo Parish School Board, directly supporting school infrastructure through asset acquisition for educational facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 237: CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 237 requires schools in Louisiana to immediately report allegations of physical or sexual abuse against school employees to the state Department of Education. It creates a database tracking these reports and mandates schools check this database before hiring new employees to identify potential patterns of abuse. The bill also requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the state child ombudsman within three business days of child abuse or neglect fatalities or near-fatalities, including specific details like prior department involvement. Additionally, it directs the child ombudsman to notify legislators within 24 hours of any child death linked to abuse or neglect investigations. These provisions directly affect schools, school employees, child welfare agencies, and state legislators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school safety protocols for student protection, aligning with educational environment safeguards by requiring abuse reporting and background checks.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 407: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (EN -$1,100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 407 lowers the minimum age requirement for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, a state-funded higher education assistance program. The bill phases in reduced age thresholds over several academic years: applicants must be at least 20 for 2024-2025, 19 for 2025-2026, 18 for 2026-2027, and 17 for 2027-2028 onward. This change directly affects prospective college students seeking program eligibility based on their age at application. The policy modifies existing eligibility rules to allow younger applicants to qualify for tuition assistance at Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers age requirement for state-funded higher education program, expanding access to assistance for younger students by reducing eligibility barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid