Education (Early Childhood)

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1079: SCHOOLS/CHARTER: Authorizes certain charter schools to give enrollment preference to certain students

This bill allows charter schools in Louisiana to prioritize enrollment for kindergarten students who attended specific early learning centers. It directly affects charter schools and the families of young children by creating a formal preference system for certain preschool experiences. Under the new rule, schools can give preference to students who attended a center run by the charter school itself or a separate licensed center where the student spent at least 75 days and an enrollment agreement exists between the two organizations. The legislation adds this option to existing charter school requirements without mandating that schools use the preference, leaving the decision to individual charter schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing charter schools to prioritize enrollment for students with early learning center experience, strengthening preschool-to-school transitions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education School Choice

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

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Tags Children

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 441: STUDENTS: Provides relative to programs for prekindergarten-aged children. (gov sig) (EN -$6,530 GF RV See Note)

This bill establishes and regulates prekindergarten programs in Louisiana by setting child safety and welfare standards for both public and nonpublic schools. It requires all prekindergarten programs to maintain specific staff-to-child ratios and ensure at least two staff members are present when more than four children are in a facility. The legislation also mandates that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers and requires parents to acknowledge that these programs are not subject to federal daycare regulations. Additionally, the bill directs local school boards to develop mixed provider delivery models for full-day, year-round prekindergarten instruction starting in the 2023-2024 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes and regulates prekindergarten programs, setting safety standards and staff requirements to enhance early education access and quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

passed · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 29: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates Monday, April 13, 2026, as Knock Knock Children's Museum Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and recognizes the museum's contributions to early childhood education, family engagement, and economic vitality in Louisiana.

This bill designates Monday, April 13, 2026, as Knock Knock Children's Museum Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the museum's work. The resolution recognizes the museum's contributions to early childhood education, family engagement, and economic development in Louisiana. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the museum's impact on children and families across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes museum's contributions to early childhood education and family engagement, promoting educational access for young children.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

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

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 135: GAMING: Provides relative to the dedication of revenue from sports wagering. (7/1/27) (EG SEE FISC NOTE SD RV See Note)

SB 135 directs 25% of annual tax revenue from sports wagering (capped at $20 million per year) to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. This bill amends tax code to ensure these dedicated funds support early childhood education programs statewide. The provision takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all future sports wagering tax proceeds meeting the specified thresholds. It does not create new taxes but redirects existing revenue streams to a specific education fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing sports wagering tax revenue (capped at $20M/year) to fund early childhood education, advancing public service funding without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects 25% of sports wagering tax revenue ($20M/year cap) to early childhood education fund, increasing dedicated funding without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Early Childhood

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 445: EDUCATION: Provides relative to the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 445 transfers Louisiana's STEM Advisory Council from the Department of Education to Louisiana Works and redefines its responsibilities. The bill requires the council to create a statewide STEM education plan, coordinate programs with workforce needs, encourage industry funding, and establish a resource clearinghouse. It creates a dedicated STEM Education Fund to support student-focused programs (including robotics competitions via FIRST) from pre-K through college, funded by legislative appropriations and private donations. The council must submit annual reports to education committees and meet quarterly, with members able to participate electronically. This bill directly affects STEM education programs, schools, and industry partners across Louisiana.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated STEM Education Fund for student programs (pre-K-college), including robotics, aligning with education funding and program enhancement indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds STEM education programs including robotics competitions via FIRST, directly supporting technology education and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 628: EARLY CHILDHOOD: Authorizes a school board to engage in a cooperative endeavor with a licensed early learning center to operate a microcenter at a school

HB 628 allows Louisiana school boards to partner with licensed early learning centers (Type III providers) to operate "microcenters" within schools for three-year-olds. These microcenters must meet all standards required of licensed early learning centers and prioritize serving economically disadvantaged children. The bill creates a formal framework for school boards and early learning centers to collaborate on early childhood education and care programs in school settings. It directly affects school districts, licensed early learning centers, and three-year-old children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. The policy change establishes a new operational model for early childhood education without altering existing licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes school-early learning center partnerships to expand early childhood access for disadvantaged students, directly advancing educational access and program development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 37: HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to lead poisoning prevention. (8/1/26) (EG +$1,205,479 GF EX See Note)

SB 37 establishes a statewide lead poisoning prevention program within Louisiana's Department of Health. It requires lead testing in early learning centers and schools (with prekindergarten programs or elementary grades) built before 1978 to obtain occupancy approval, and mandates healthcare providers to report confirmed lead poisoning cases. The program also sets protocols for detecting lead sources (prioritizing areas with recent cases and children under six) and requires abatement of lead hazards when contamination is found. These changes directly affect schools, healthcare providers, and the Department of Health, focusing on prevention, testing, and treatment for children under six.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires lead testing and abatement in schools (pre-K/elementary) built before 1978 to ensure safe learning environments, directly supporting school infrastructure safety.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates lead testing in schools and abatement of lead sources, directly reducing environmental exposure to a toxic pollutant per pollution control indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes lead poisoning prevention program requiring school testing and healthcare reporting, strengthening public health protections for children under six.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 240: EARLY CHILDHOOD ED: Provides relative to early learning centers. (gov sig) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 240 creates a new "Type IV" license for prekindergarten programs attached to public schools in Louisiana, exempting these centers from certain licensing requirements that apply to other early learning centers. Specifically, Type IV centers are exempt from mandatory criminal background checks for staff (per Section 407.42(A)(3)) and from employee training requirements on shaken baby syndrome (per Section 407.40(A)(7)). The bill also requires Type IV centers to be inspected by the Louisiana Department of Health under school regulations and mandates their representation on advisory councils and the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission. This affects school-based prekindergarten programs, ensuring they operate under streamlined rules while maintaining overall safety standards for all early learning centers.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves mandatory staff background checks and shaken baby syndrome training requirements, weakening safety standards for early childhood education programs.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts staff from background checks and training, weakening workplace safety protections for early childhood workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track