Labor & Employment

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.

HB 31 allows Louisiana municipalities with populations under 5,000 to permanently exit the Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System. To terminate participation, a city must pass a resolution, provide 30 days' written notice to the retirement system and new hires, and stop enrolling future employees. Existing police employees hired before the termination date remain covered under the system, but new hires after the effective date will not be enrolled. The termination becomes effective 60 days after the governing authority adopts the resolution.