Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: HIGHER EDUCATION: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

HB 649 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a single statewide application system for high school students seeking dual enrollment courses at public colleges. It mandates all public postsecondary institutions to participate in this system unless they provide written notice of non-participation to their management board. The bill also directs management boards to develop plans for improving student access and cost efficiency, with implementation required by the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects high school students, public colleges, and their administrative boards by replacing multiple application processes with a standardized, statewide approach.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates statewide dual enrollment application system to expand college access for high school students and requires cost efficiency plans, directly advancing educational access in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 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

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 572: SCHOOLS: Creates the Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program (OR +$201,705 GF EX See Note)

HB 572 creates Louisiana's Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program to support public schools with 60% or more students eligible for free/reduced lunch. The program provides grants for schools to hire counselors/social workers, train staff in trauma-informed practices, implement social-emotional learning curricula, and establish community mentorship networks. Participating schools must collaborate with Louisiana universities to track attendance, discipline, and mental health outcomes, reporting annually to the Department of Education. The program requires legislative funding and will generate annual reports for the legislature on results and recommendations. This pilot aims to improve student well-being through evidence-based school-based support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grants for counselors, trauma training, and social-emotional curricula in high-need schools, directly advancing student mental health and support services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school mental health services via grants for counselors, trauma training, and SEL programs, directly supporting mental health access in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 98: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Adds certain school employees to the definition of "educator" relative to prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student. (8/1/26)

SB 98 amends Louisiana law to expand the definition of "educator" to include school resource officers and security guards, in addition to existing roles like teachers and coaches. This change means the prohibition on sexual conduct between an educator and a student will now apply to these additional school staff members. The bill directly affects school security personnel and resource officers by bringing them under this legal protection, while extending coverage to students who interact with them. The amendment will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands legal protections for students by including school security personnel under educator misconduct prohibitions, strengthening student safety safeguards in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 322: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to apprentices. (8/1/26)

SB 322 creates a new "Louisiana Youth Apprentice" category for workers under 24 in apprenticeship programs. It requires youth apprentices to complete at least 375 hours of employment combined with an approved training program leading to both a high school diploma or equivalent and an industry credential (like a certificate or technical certification). This defines a separate pathway from standard apprenticeships, which require 2,000+ hours, and applies specifically to young workers seeking job training and credentials. The bill amends existing Louisiana law to establish these youth-specific eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires apprenticeship program to lead to high school diploma or equivalent, expanding educational access for youth under 24.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 262: STUDENT/ASSESSMENT: Prohibits requiring students to pass state-administered end-of-course (LEAP) tests in order to graduate from high school

HB 262 removes a requirement for Louisiana high school students to pass state-administered end-of-course tests (like the LEAP assessments) to earn a diploma. It states that students who successfully complete all required coursework (Carnegie units) for graduation will automatically receive a high school diploma, regardless of their test scores. The bill directly affects all Louisiana public high school students by eliminating a barrier to graduation tied to standardized testing. This policy change shifts graduation eligibility solely to course completion, not test performance, for the first time under Louisiana's current framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves standardized test barrier for graduation, improving access to diplomas by prioritizing course completion over testing outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 482: TOPS: Revises the initial and continuing eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award and provides for the award amount at public colleges and universities (EG +$3,200,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 482 proposes to increase the TOPS-Tech scholarship award amount to $4,500 annually for students enrolled in eligible programs at Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) institutions, effective for first-time freshmen enrolling in 2026-2027 or later. It revises eligibility by requiring students to meet only two of three academic benchmarks (minimum GPA, ACT score, or early college credits) instead of all three, and allows deferral of award acceptance until age 25 for LCTCS students. The bill also adjusts academic progress requirements, including a minimum 2.00 GPA and continuous enrollment standards, to maintain eligibility. These changes directly affect Louisiana students pursuing technical degrees at LCTCS colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases TOPS-Tech scholarship funding to $4,500/year and lowers eligibility requirements, expanding access to higher education financial aid at LCTCS institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 120: AMUSEMENTS/SPORTS: Provides relative to intercollegiate athletes at a postsecondary education institution. (gov sig) (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

SB 120 allows intercollegiate athletes at Louisiana colleges to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL), while requiring schools to facilitate these opportunities. It mandates that institutions provide annual financial literacy and life skills training for athletes, totaling at least seven hours per year. The bill also specifies that NIL contracts must comply with state law and prohibits institutions from restricting athletes' NIL activities under certain conditions. This directly affects student-athletes and Louisiana public and private universities participating in intercollegiate sports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy training for athletes in postsecondary education, enhancing student development within higher education programs without restricting funding or curriculum.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 395: SCHOOLS: Requires the state Department of Education to create a program to recruit, hire, and retain mental health professionals (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 395 requires Louisiana's Department of Education to create a program recruiting, hiring, and retaining mental health professionals - including counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and behavioral health specialists - in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates the department to aim for a ratio of one mental health professional per 250 students across all public schools. Implementation depends on future legislative funding, as Section 2 states the program becomes effective only after a specific appropriation is approved. This directly affects Louisiana's public schools and their ability to support student mental health needs through staff expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates future state funding for mental health programs in schools, requiring budget allocation to implement the program, aligning with funding essential services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health professional staffing ratio (1:250 students) to enhance student support services in public schools, directly advancing educational access and student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates recruitment of mental health professionals in schools to achieve 1:250 ratio, directly supporting mental health services access for students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates state program to recruit/retain mental health professionals in schools, creating new employment opportunities and addressing workforce needs in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 570: TAX/AD VALOREM TAX: Authorizes a taxing authority to levy a millage at a rate lower than the maximum authorized rate under certain circumstances (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

HB 570 modifies Louisiana's property tax rules to allow local taxing authorities (like parishes, cities, or school boards) to adjust millage rates after reassessments. It permits elected bodies to raise rates up to the constitutional maximum with a two-thirds vote (no voter approval needed), while non-elected bodies face a 2.5% annual revenue cap on increases. Unspent rate allowances expire after 2024 (2023 for Orleans Parish), resetting to 2026 rates, and rates automatically decrease if reassessment increases property values. The bill directly affects local governments setting property taxes and property owners paying those taxes, effective January 1, 2027, pending constitutional amendment approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows school boards (as elected bodies) to adjust property tax rates without voter approval, enabling potential increases in school funding. Directly supports education revenue generation.85% confidence