Education (K-12 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 · 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

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passed · Louisiana · House May 25, 2026

HB 350: EDUCATION: Provides for students at École Pointe-au-Chien (RE INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 350 creates École Pointe-au-Chien as a public French immersion school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Terrebonne Parish. The bill establishes the school as independent from state education boards, operating under its own board of directors. It specifies the school’s grade levels and location while requiring French immersion instruction as part of its curriculum. This directly affects students enrolled at École Pointe-au-Chien and its governing board.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new public French immersion school, expanding educational access and curriculum options for K-4 students in Terrebonne Parish.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 346: SCHOOLS: Prohibits the use of deepfake material against students enrolled in K-12. (8/1/26)

SB 346 prohibits K-12 schools and staff from creating or sharing deepfake audio or video content intended to coerce, harass, intimidate, or maliciously distribute against students. It defines "deepfake" as digitally altered media falsely appearing authentic (excluding political satire, news commentary, or clearly disclosed parodies), and requires the State Board of Education to develop implementation rules. The law directly affects all Louisiana public and private K-12 students and school employees, banning the use of manipulated media for harmful purposes. Key provisions include clear prohibitions on malicious deepfakes while preserving protected speech like satire, with enforcement through state education rules. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits deepfakes targeting students, enhancing school safety and protecting educational environment within K-12 context.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits malicious deepfake use in schools, protecting student privacy and digital rights from AI-generated harassment, aligning with data privacy safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 317: STUDENT/DISCIPLINE: Prohibits the assignment of prekindergarten or kindergarten students to an alternative school unless suspended or expelled for certain infractions

HB 317 prohibits Louisiana schools from assigning prekindergarten or kindergarten students to alternative schools for any disciplinary reason except when a student is suspended or expelled for serious misconduct involving drugs, weapons, assault, or battery. This directly affects young children in early education, preventing their placement in alternative schools for minor behavioral issues like disruptions or minor conflicts. The bill changes existing discipline practices by restricting alternative school assignments for these grades to only the most severe infractions defined in state law. It aims to limit early exclusion of very young students from mainstream learning environments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents minor behavioral issues in young children from triggering alternative school placements, reducing early criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to avoid school-to-prison pipeline.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents early childhood students from being moved to alternative schools for minor infractions, protecting their access to regular education settings and promoting positive school environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime K-12 Education

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 218: SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs, addressing a key barrier to student learning and educational access in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires school food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs/public assistance, addressing a social determinant of health and supporting public health initiatives as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Primary Care

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 285: SCHOOLS/BOARDS: Authorizes a school board to engage in a cooperative endeavor with a credit union or bank to operate a branch at a high school

HB 285 allows Louisiana high school boards to partner with credit unions to operate on-site branches at high schools. The bill requires these branches to be integrated into the state-mandated financial literacy course (R.S. 17:270), giving students hands-on experience managing personal finances. School boards must establish rules for outside use of buildings, including fees, under this new partnership framework. The policy directly affects high school students, school boards, and credit unions by embedding practical financial education into existing coursework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIntegrates credit union branches into mandatory financial literacy course, providing hands-on student financial management experience as part of curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 316: EDUCATION: Provides relative to student literacy (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 316 requires Louisiana teacher education programs to include specific literacy training for educators preparing to teach students in kindergarten through third grade and for secondary teachers working with grades 4-8. It mandates that programs cover foundational literacy skills (like phonemic awareness and dyslexia support) and adolescent literacy strategies (including science-of-reading approaches for content-area learning). The bill also requires public schools to annually review student literacy plans for grades 4-8 and consolidate related improvement plans into single documents. These changes directly affect teacher training institutions, public schools, and students in grades 4-8 by establishing new standards for literacy instruction and intervention planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates literacy training for K-8 teachers in foundational and adolescent literacy strategies, directly enhancing educator preparedness and student literacy outcomes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 27: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to high-dosage tutoring. (gov sig) (EG +$15,200,000 GF EX See Note)

SB 27 requires Louisiana schools to provide high-dosage tutoring to K-5 students who failed statewide reading/math assessments or scored below grade level in literacy/numeracy screenings. Schools must offer tutoring within 30 days of identification, using direct instruction aligned to grade-level content and formative assessments. Tutoring providers must use qualified tutors (with background checks and subject-specific training) using high-quality instructional materials focused on core grade-level skills. Schools must report student participation data to the state by June 30, with the Department of Education publishing annual reports by July 1. This applies directly to eligible students and school districts implementing the requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates high-dosage tutoring for K-5 students failing assessments, requiring qualified tutors and high-quality materials within 30 days. Expands educational access and strengthens student learning programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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