Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1021: TOPS: Provides relative to repayment of certain TOPS award amounts under certain circumstances (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill requires students who receive Louisiana's TOPS scholarship to repay their award if they fail to maintain eligibility, resign from their college, or do not earn a bachelor's degree by the end of their fifth academic year. The repayment applies to the amount paid on the student's behalf for their first year of enrollment, but it does not apply if the student transfers to a community and technical college within 12 months and completes an eligible workforce program within 36 months. The administering agency must create rules to handle repayment exceptions, partial repayments, and collection methods, and must submit annual reports on TOPS student outcomes and repayment data. The law applies to high school graduates who enroll in college during or after the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes repayment requirements on scholarship recipients, potentially limiting educational access and creating financial barriers for students who fail to complete degrees.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 450: SCHOOLS: Requires mandatory reporting of school threats and provides for physical security school assessments for K-12 schools. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill requires all K-12 school employees in Louisiana to immediately report any threats of violence or terrorism to local law enforcement and, if applicable, to the school administrator. It also mandates that law enforcement agencies forward these threat reports to the state's Louisiana Fusion Center within seven days, while protecting the privacy of students and individuals who made the reports. Additionally, the bill establishes a program where the Fusion Center will conduct free physical security assessments of public schools every three years starting in 2027, with optional assessments available for charter and nonpublic schools. The assessments will identify safety vulnerabilities and provide nonbinding recommendations for improvements, but schools are not required to implement these suggestions and will be protected from liability regardless of their decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by requiring threat reporting to law enforcement and establishing security assessments, enhancing criminal justice prevention measures.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety through mandatory threat reporting and physical security assessments, protecting students and educators from violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement K-12 Education School Safety

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 Jun 2, 2026

HB 1059: TOPS: Provides relative to core curriculum requirements for TOPS and TOPS-Tech awards in the subject of mathematics (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill updates the mathematics course requirements for students to qualify for Louisiana's TOPS scholarship awards, including Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence, and TOPS-Tech programs. It establishes specific math course sequences that students must complete, allowing them to choose between traditional Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or an alternative integrated mathematics sequence. The law sets different requirements based on graduation year, with some students needing three math units while others need four, and it expands course options for TOPS-Tech recipients to include applied math and computer science classes. These changes directly affect high school students graduating between 2021 and 2030 who wish to receive state scholarship funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates math course requirements to allow alternative integrated sequences, expanding educational access and providing flexibility in curriculum while maintaining scholarship eligibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1149: CURRICULA: Requires each public school to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence into an existing course of study for each student in grades six through twelve (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana public schools to include artificial intelligence instruction in their existing courses for students in grades six through twelve. The law directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules to implement this requirement. Schools must integrate AI education into current curricula rather than creating separate classes. The measure applies to all public schools in the state and affects middle and high school students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates AI instruction in K-12 curriculum, expanding educational content and preparing students for modern technology.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI instruction in public schools, advancing digital literacy and technology education for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 72: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Sophia Patout and Layla Porter on winning the Future Farmers of America building communities national championship award for their Coastal Restoration Heroes program

This resolution formally commends Sophia Patout and Layla Porter for winning a national Future Farmers of America award for their Coastal Restoration Heroes program. The two students from St. Amant High School led an initiative that planted over 6,000 native plants to stabilize shorelines and protect approximately 18 acres of salt marsh on West Grand Terre Island. The document recognizes their work in mobilizing student volunteers and partnering with restoration organizations to combat coastal land loss in Louisiana. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a law that changes policy or creates new requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes student achievement in educational program (FFA), supporting student engagement and extracurricular educational initiatives85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes students for coastal restoration work that planted native plants to stabilize shorelines and protect salt marshes, directly supporting environmental conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Coastal & Flood Protection

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 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 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

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