La. Rev. Stat. § 17:416.18.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 416.18.1
School Employee Bill of Rights
Status: in_force

A. Respecting the authority of school employees is essential to creating a safe environment conducive to learning, effective instruction in the classroom, and proper administration of city, parish, and other local public schools. To maintain and protect that authority, it is important that school employees, administrators, parents, and students are fully informed of the various rights conferred upon school employees pursuant to this Section, which are:

(1) A school employee has the right to work in a safe, secure, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and free from recognized dangers or hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury in accordance with R.S. 17:416.9 and 416.16.

(2) A school employee has the right to work free from the fear of frivolous lawsuits, including the right to qualified immunity and to a legal defense, and to indemnification by the employing school board, pursuant to R.S. 17:416.4, 416.11, and 439, for actions taken in the performance of duties of the school employee's employment.

(3) A school employee has the right to hold students accountable for disorderly conduct, in accordance with R.S. 17:416 and 416.14 and any city, parish, or other local public school board regulation.

(4) A school employee has the right to have his professional judgment and discretion respected by school and district administrators in any disciplinary action taken by the school employee in accordance with school and district policy and with R.S. 17:416(A)(1)(a) and (b).

(5) A school employee shall have the right to be involved in decisions regarding student behavior management in accordance with R.S. 17:416.8.

(6) A school employee shall have the right to additional compensation in accordance with R.S. 17:418 and 419.2, and any compensation provided by any city, parish, or other local public school board regulation.

(7) A school employee shall not have his wages reduced for any school year below the amount paid to the school employee in hourly wage or annual salary during the previous school year, nor shall the amount of the hourly wage or annual salary paid to any school employee be reduced at any time during an academic year in accordance with R.S. 17:422.6.

(8) A school employee serving as a substitute teacher shall have the right to additional compensation as provided in R.S. 17:419.3.

(9) A school employee has the right to be treated with civility and respect as provided in R.S. 17:416.12.

(10) A school employee shall have the right to perform noncomplex medical procedures only if all the requirements in R.S. 17:436 have been met and documented.

(11) A school employee shall have the right to administer medication only if all the requirements in R.S. 17:436.1 have been met and documented.

(12) A school employee required by law or regulation to be trained for a specific job requirement shall be required to perform those specific duties only if they have received the mandated training and the training has been documented as required by law or regulation.

(13) A school employee shall have the right to professional development and career advancement and should be supported in advancing their careers, pursuant to R.S. 17:7.4, 7.7, and 7.8.

(14) A school employee has the right to complete only paperwork that is not excessively burdensome and that, if required by law or regulation, adheres to the law or regulation and does not result in overly cumbersome interpretations of that law or regulation.

B. No city, parish, or other local public school board shall establish policies that prevent school employees from exercising the rights provided in this Section or in any other provision included in R.S. 17:416 and 416.14. No principal or administrator shall retaliate or take adverse employment action against a school employee for exercising the rights provided in this Section. However, the provisions of this Section do not authorize a school employee to violate the provisions of any discipline policy adopted by the public school governing authority.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to supersede any other state law, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy, or city, parish, or other local public school board policy enacted or adopted relative to the discipline of students.

D. Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall provide a copy of this Section to all school employees at the beginning of each school year in a form or manner approved by the school board. Each school board also shall post a copy of the rights provided in this Section in a prominent place in every school and administrative building it operates and provide a copy to parents or legal guardians of all children attending schools in a form and manner approved by the school board. Each city, parish, or other local public school board and every school under its jurisdiction that maintains an internet website shall post on the website a copy of the School Employee Bill of Rights required by this Section.

E. This Section shall not be construed to require a public school governing authority to spend its funds to purchase displays. In order to fund the displays free of charge, the school public governing authority shall do either of the following:

(1) Accept donated funds to purchase the displays.

(2) Accept donated displays.

F. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to ensure the proper implementation of this Section.

Acts 2025, No. 439, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3042 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3042
Legislative findings; purpose
Status: in_force

A. The legislature finds that there is a critical shortage of teachers in the state and it is the intent of the legislature to fund an adequate supply of teachers with demonstrated academic ability. The legislature further finds that funding such a supply of teachers is a public purpose and, pursuant to Article VII, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the legislature intends to engage in a cooperative endeavor to effectuate such purpose.

B. It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to provide for loans to eligible applicants who will obtain degrees from higher education institutions which will qualify them to become certified classroom teachers within the state. Additionally, the purpose of such loans shall be to bring about an adequate supply of capable teachers by inducing a sufficient number of the outstanding graduates of the colleges of this state to remain in Louisiana to practice teaching in the classroom, thus affording adequate, quality education to the people of Louisiana.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 934, §1, eff. Aug. 2, 1981; Acts 1986, No. 583, §1, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1991, No. 817, §1, eff. July 23, 1991; Acts 1997, No. 476, §1; Acts 2008, No. 652, §4, eff. July 1, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2352 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2352
Applicability; persons who may make an anatomical gift prior to the death of the donor
Status: in_force

A. The provisions of this Part shall apply to an anatomical gift or amendment, revocation, or refusal to make an anatomical gift.

B. Subject to the provisions of R.S. 17:2354.2, an anatomical gift of a body or part of the donor may be made during his life for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education as provided in R.S. 17:2354 by any of the following:

(1) An adult donor.

(2) A minor donor, if he has been emancipated or authorized under state law to apply for a driver's license.

(3) An agent of the donor, unless the power of attorney for health care or other record prohibits it.

(4) A parent of the donor, if he is an unemancipated minor.

(5) The guardian of the donor.

Acts 1968, No. 651, §1; Acts 2010, No. 937, §2, eff. July 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3129 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3129
Power to recommend budget
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Regents may require that every higher education management board submit to it, at a time it specifies, an annual budget proposal for operational and capital needs of each institution under the control of each management board.

B.(1) The Board of Regents shall submit to the governor and to the legislature its budget recommendations for all institutions of higher learning in the state.

(2)(a) The Board of Regents shall submit to the governor and to the legislature the priorities for capital construction and improvements for all institutions of higher learning in the state. At the same time as it submits such priorities, the board shall submit its recommendations for the budget for capital construction and improvements to the governor and the legislature.

(b) The legislature shall consider the recommendations of the Board of Regents regarding the budget for capital construction and improvements. The recommendations of the Board of Regents shall be considered prior to adoption of the capital construction budget by the legislature for projects from the priority list submitted by the Board of Regents.

C. The legislature shall appropriate funds for the operating and administrative expenses of the state boards created by or pursuant to Article VIII of the Constitution of Louisiana. Appropriations for the institutions of postsecondary education shall be made to their managing boards. The funds appropriated shall be administered by the managing boards and used solely as provided by law.

D.(1) Pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, the Board of Regents shall require, as a part of any annual budget proposal submitted to it by a higher education management board for the operational and capital needs of an institution, that such proposal include recommended funding needed to make the facilities and learning environments at the institution accessible to persons with motor and sensory impairments.

(2) The Board of Regents, in consultation with the Department of Children and Family Services and other appropriate persons, as determined by the board, shall develop and adopt rules and guidelines to be used for determining such recommended funding. Such rules and guidelines shall include but not be limited to an initial review and analysis, with an annual update thereafter, of the institution's facilities and learning environments from the standpoint of accessibility to persons with motor and sensory impairments. Such review and analysis shall include a determination as to whether or not the institution's facilities and learning environments are in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable federal and state laws and agency rules and regulations.

(3) Budget recommendations submitted annually by the Board of Regents pursuant to Subsection B of this Section shall consider recommended funding based upon the management board recommendations made pursuant to Paragraph D(1) of this Section.

E. The Board of Regents shall formulate and adopt a formula for distribution of funds appropriated by the legislature for deferred maintenance. This formula shall be effective for all institutions of postsecondary education and shall give priority to those institutions with preventive maintenance programs.

F. Any formula formulated and adopted by the Board of Regents for funding institutions of postsecondary education in the ensuing year as provided in this Section shall be annually reported to the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Education, and the House Committee on Appropriations, not later than March thirty-first of each year.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 313, §1, eff. July 17, 1975; Acts 1992, No. 495, §1; Acts 1995, No. 944, §1, eff. July 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1360, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2010, No. 899, §1; Acts 2013, No. 280, §1, eff. June 14, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1676 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1676
Recipients and awards of scholarships
Status: in_force

A. The scholarship recipient shall be free to attend any approved institution of higher education in this state. The institution is not required to accept the scholarship recipient for enrollment, but is free to exact compliance with its own admission requirements, standards, and policies.

B. Scholarship grants shall be made to undergraduate students only.

C. Each scholarship is renewable until the course of study is completed, but not to exceed an additional three academic years beyond the first year of the award. These may not necessarily be consecutive years and the scholarship will be terminated if the student receives his degree in a shorter period of time. Qualifications for renewal will include maintaining satisfactory academic standing, making normal progress toward completion of the course of study, and continued eligibility, as determined by the department.

D. Scholarship awards shall be made without regard to the applicant's race, disability, as defined in R.S. 51:2232, creed, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry; and in making scholarship awards, the department shall provide a fair and equitable geographical distribution of the awards and shall treat all approved institutions of higher education in a fair and equitable manner.

E. Scholarship awards shall be limited to the payment of tuition and academic fees and shall not exceed for an academic year the lesser of four hundred dollars or the actual amount of tuition and academic fees payable by the scholarship recipient, which shall not exceed the tuition and academic fees generally charged by the institution to all resident undergraduate students.

F. Payment of scholarships shall be made directly to the institution.

G. In the event that a scholarship recipient transfers from one approved institution of higher education to another, his scholarship shall be transferable only with the approval of the department.

H. Should the recipient terminate his enrollment for any reason during the academic year, the unused portion of the scholarship shall be returned to the department by the institution according to the institution's own policy for issuing refunds.

I. The financial assistance granted herein shall be in addition to any other financial assistance from whatever source.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 695, §1, eff. July 1, 1975; Acts 1993, No. 820, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:88.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 88.1
Posting of public school governing authority fiscal information
Status: in_force

A. No later than September thirtieth each year, each public school governing authority shall post on its website its most recent budget and general summary required pursuant to R.S. 17:88.

B. Within thirty days of notice of the approval and acceptance by the legislative auditor each year, each public school governing authority shall post on its website its most recent annual independent audit.

C. For the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2024, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each public school governing authority shall post on its website semiannual reports detailing actual revenue, receipts, expenditures, and disbursements as further provided in this Subsection. Each report shall also include information concerning the governing authority's contracts for each quarter, including without limitation the identity of each vendor, the purpose of each contract, and payments associated with each contract. The report for the period from July first through December thirty-first shall be posted no later than March thirty-first; the report for the period from January first through June thirtieth shall be posted no later than September thirtieth.

D. Each public school governing authority shall furnish to the Department of the Treasury, subject to the deadlines and in a manner jointly prescribed by the treasurer and state superintendent of education based on consultation with school business managers, the information posted by the governing authority pursuant to the provisions of this Section. The agencies shall jointly develop a template for the submission of any required information not already in the possession of the state Department of Education that minimizes administrative burden on school governing authorities. The treasurer shall post the information on the website of the Department of the Treasury. Subject to the availability of funds, the Department of the Treasury shall provide an online tool for comparison of public school governing authority budgets and expenditures, in total and on a per-pupil basis.

E. For purposes of this Section, "contract" means all types of agreements, regardless of what an agreement may be called, of a public school governing authority, including orders, grants, and documents purporting to represent grants which are for the purchase or disposal of supplies, services, major repairs, or any other item. "Contract" includes, to the extent applicable, awards and notices of award, contracts of a fixed-price, cost, cost-plus-a-fixed-fee, or incentive type; contracts providing for the issuance of job or task orders; leases; letter contracts; purchase orders; memoranda of understanding; cooperative endeavor agreements; and personal, professional, consulting, and social services contracts.

F. The provisions of this Section shall be effective only in years in which the legislature provides funding by a specific appropriation.

Acts 2023, No. 370, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1681 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1681
Children and spouses of police officers and deputy sheriffs; definitions
Status: in_force

A. The term police officers shall include only persons employed or engaged as commissioned police officers on a full-time basis by the state of Louisiana or any of its political subdivisions. The term deputy sheriff shall include only persons employed or engaged as commissioned law enforcement officers on a full-time basis by a parish of the state of Louisiana.

B. College or university means any institution of postsecondary education situated in this state, operated by an agency, board, or other body created by the constitution or laws of this state, operated in whole or in part with funds appropriated for that purpose by the legislature, and authorized to confer degrees in the arts and sciences.

C. Room and board charges means the fee or charge for lodging, quarters or food furnished by a college or university, on its campus, and for which a regular and periodic charge is made to all students availing themselves of such services.

D. Books means text books, reference books, manuals, and other aids to instruction which are required to be purchased by a student in a given course of study.

E. Semester means a regularly fixed period of instruction for which credit is given whether a semester, quarter, trimester or otherwise.

F. Child means the offspring of a police officer or his spouse or a deputy sheriff or his spouse living in the same household with and dependent upon the municipal police officer or deputy sheriff, as the case may be, for support and the offspring of a police officer or deputy sheriff dependent upon him for support, whether or not living in the same household.

G. "Spouse" means the wife or husband of the police officer or deputy sheriff who is living in the same household and who is dependent upon the police officer or deputy sheriff for support if the police officer or deputy sheriff is alive and permanently disabled. Spouse also means the wife or husband of a police officer or deputy sheriff who is deceased and who was living in the same household and was dependent upon the police officer or deputy sheriff for support at the time of the injury which resulted in the police officer or deputy sheriff's death.

Acts 1974, No. 353, §1; Acts 2017, No. 97, §1; Acts 2024, No. 280, §1, eff. May 28, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:62 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 62
Lafayette Parish School Board; term limits; voter approval
Status: in_force

The Lafayette Parish School Board, by adoption of a resolution, may limit the number of terms of office which any member of the board may serve to three consecutive four-year terms. Such resolution may be adopted by the board only after the question of such term limitation has been submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors of Lafayette Parish who vote on the proposition at a regularly scheduled election held in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.

Acts 2005, No. 230, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3103 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3103
Disruptive acts defined; dismissal and notification thereof
Status: in_force

Any student, member of the faculty, administrative official or other employee of any institution of higher learning of this state who:

(1) Organizes, and/or participates in, and/or holds himself out to be a part of any demonstration, protest, riot or other activity on or immediately adjacent to the grounds of any such institution, the effect of which is willfully to interfere with or disrupt the normal educational process or administration at such institution; or

(2) Enters into any building or structure of such institution alone or as a member of a group, when the effect of such entry into or presence within the building or structure is willfully to interfere with or disrupt the normal educational process or administration at such institution; or

(3) Willfully destroys, defaces, disfeatures, disfigures or in any other way damages public property on the grounds of said institution; or

(4) Willfully fails to obey any lawful order of a peace officer or any person to whom is delegated the authority to act in such capacity at said institution; or

(5) In any way willfully and directly aids, abets or encourages any of the foregoing acts may be expelled or dismissed from such institution effective immediately upon written notification of expulsion or dismissal signed by the president or his designated representative and delivered by registered mail at the last known address of the recipient. Any person so dismissed or expelled shall have the right to appeal the decision by which such action was taken. All appeals shall be heard by a panel which shall be composed of the members of the governing authority of the institution of higher learning; provided, however, that either or both of said authorities may adopt rules and regulations authorizing the president of the governing authority to appoint a special panel, composed of not less than three nor more than five members of the governing authority, to hear any appeal presented to it, and in such case the decision of the special panel shall constitute the decision of the governing authority in the same manner and to the same extent as if the hearing had been before the whole membership of the governing authority.

Added by Acts 1969, No. 59, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1208 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1208
Amount of personal leave
Status: in_force

Every teacher employed by a parish or city school board of this state, except those employees who receive annual leave, shall be entitled to and shall be allowed to use up to two days absence during each school year to be used for such purposes as may be determined by the individual teacher without loss of pay. The teacher requesting such leave shall give his principal at least twenty-four hours notice prior to taking the leave without loss of pay. Personal leave shall be charged to and deducted from the teacher's sick leave for the current year or sick leave accumulated as provided in R.S. 17:1201. Personal leave shall not be accumulated from year to year, nor shall personal leave be compensated for upon death or retirement or paid in any other manner except as provided for in this Section.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 519, §1; Acts 1984, No. 854, §1; Acts 1987, No. 296, §1; Acts 1987, No. 639, §1, eff. July 9, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:391.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 391.6
Content course evaluation
Status: in_force

A. From time to time, as the superintendent of education may determine, the state Department of Education shall conduct studies of the effectiveness of various courses, in addition to the basic communication and computation skills courses, offered by the public schools of this state. Such studies shall include details of the specific objectives of the courses and the level of achievement attained by students enrolled in such courses and, for this purpose, the department may use the results of any test administered under the provisions of this Part.

B. Upon the completion of such a study by the state Department of Education pursuant to this Section, the department shall report its findings, and recommendations, if any, to the legislature not later than January 1 of the year succeeding completion of the study.

C. The department shall maintain the anonymity of all students involved and local school board personnel. The department may make analyses involving other factors, including but not limited to general categories of pedagogies in use, type of district organization, geographic area, socioeconomic data, size of school district, or other analytical items which may prove useful.

D. The governing board of any school district shall cooperate fully with the superintendent of education in making its schools available for such studies; provided, that the state Department of Education shall provide all necessary materials. Such evaluation materials may include texts, books, references, tests, library print and nonprint materials, equipment, and other materials necessary for the orderly conduct of a study.

Acts 1977, No. 621, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:441 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 441
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Subpart, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Teacher" means:

(a) Any employee of a local public school board, state special school, or a school or program administered by the special school district who holds a teacher's certificate and whose legal employment requires such teacher's certificate.

(b) Any school lunch supervisor employed by a local public school board who holds a special parish school lunch supervisor's certificate issued by the state Department of Education and whose employment requires such certificate. No employee as defined in this Subparagraph hired on or after July 1, 2012, shall be eligible to acquire tenure.

(2) "Discipline" and "disciplinary action" shall include only suspension without pay, reduction in pay, or involuntary demotion or dismissal.

(3) "Written notice" is considered given when the notice is hand delivered to the teacher or on the day it is delivered to the teacher by registered mail, certified mail, or a commercial courier as defined in R.S. 13:3204(D).

Amended by Acts 1975, No. 284, §1; Acts 2012, No. 1, §3, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 570, §1, eff. June 9, 2014; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3045.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3045.3
Appropriation; procedure
Status: in_force

The commission may administer and manage all money, including any appropriation to the commission from the state general fund for the purpose of making loans pursuant to this Chapter, all interest made on loans pursuant to this Chapter and all principal repaid on loans that has been appropriated in whatever manner maximizes the amount of money available for LA-OP loans that is consistent with federal reinsurance requirements and state budget practices.

Acts 1991, No. 799, §1, eff. July 22, 1991; Acts 1991, 3rd E.S., No. 3, §1, eff. Aug. 5, 1991; Acts 2012, No. 834, §2, eff. July 1, 2012.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3024.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3024.1
Student loans as security for deposit of public funds
Status: in_force

Notes representing loans to students which are guaranteed by this board in accordance with a contract agreement under the provisions of this Chapter, may be pledged as collateral security for deposit of public funds as required in R.S. 39:1221.

Acts 1978, No. 135, §2; Acts 2016, No. 314, §3(A).
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3356 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3356
Official action of boards; vote required
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all official actions of each board shall require the favorable vote of nine members.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 313, §2, eff. July 17, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2990.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2990.2
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Child", "children", or "student" means any child or children between the ages of six and fifteen whose attendance at a public or private day school is required by R.S. 17:221 who attends a nonpublic school and all such children beyond the age of fifteen up to the age of eighteen actually enrolled in a nonpublic school as defined in this Section.

(2) "Nonpublic school" means any nonprofit elementary or secondary school within the state of Louisiana or which may hereafter be established within the state of Louisiana, offering education to the children of this state in any grades from grades one through twelve, wherein a pupil may fulfill the requirements of the Compulsory School Attendance Law and is in compliance with the Civil Rights Acts of 1964.

(3) "Parent" or "low income parent" means the parent, tutor, or other person residing within the state of Louisiana having control or charge of any child as defined in this Section whose total annual income for the previous year did not exceed $7,500.00 or who meets the requirements of R.S. 17:2990.3(2).

(4) "Total annual income" means the total amount actually earned in the tax year as reflected in the federal or state income tax return. If both parents earn income, both shall be considered in determining the total.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 94, §3; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:154.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 154.1
Length of school day and year; requirements
Status: in_force

A.(1) The minimum school day for grades one through twelve in every public school in the state shall consist of three hundred sixty minutes of instructional time, exclusive of all recesses. The minimum school year shall consist of one hundred seventy-seven days of instruction. However, in order to provide teacher training, provide for the safety and well-being of students, or implement other educational reform efforts, any governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school may authorize some or all of its schools to modify the total number of instructional minutes per day and instructional days per year as long as the total number of instructional minutes per year is no less than the minimum number of instructional minutes per day multiplied by the minimum number of instructional days as required by this Section.

(2) Each governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school shall adopt policies which require its elementary schools to dedicate any instructional time beyond that offered during the 1997-1998 school year to the study of those subjects for which content standards have been adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, with specific emphasis in the lower grades on teaching mathematics and reading or language arts. Each governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school shall encourage, to the extent possible, the secondary schools in its system to utilize such additional instructional time for similar purposes.

(3) Effective for the 2002-2003 school year and thereafter, the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not be applicable to any city, parish, or other local public school or school system which cannot meet the minimum requirements for instructional time as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection for any given school year due to school closure, when such school closure occurs within the last thirty calendar days of the school year, for reasons of natural catastrophe or disaster as certified by the state superintendent of education and approved by the State Board of Elementary and Education. Such certification and approval shall be in accordance with criteria established pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board for such purpose. Such rules and regulations shall include but shall not be limited to a requirement that any city, parish, or other local public school or school system not able to meet the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall submit to the state superintendent of education in accordance with time lines established by the board documented information explaining the reasons why such school or school system cannot meet such requirements and any efforts made by the school or school system toward meeting the requirements. The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to an entire school system only if every school within the system is forced to close for reasons as provided in this Paragraph.

(4) Repealed by Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 41, §2, eff. June 12, 2011.

(5)(a) Effective for the 2005-2006 school year, the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not be applicable to any city, parish, or other local public school or school system which cannot meet the minimum requirements for instructional time as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection for the 2005-2006 school year due to school closure for reasons of natural catastrophe or disaster as certified by the state superintendent of education and approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) Such certification and approval shall be in accordance with criteria established pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board for such purpose. Such rules and regulations shall include but shall not be limited to requirements that:

(i) Any city, parish, or other local public school or school system not able to meet the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall submit to the state superintendent of education, in accordance with time lines established by the board, documented information explaining the reasons why such school or school system cannot meet such requirements and any efforts made by the school or school system toward meeting the requirements and a revised school calendar for the 2005-2006 school year.

(ii) Schools and school systems subject to such certification and approval comply with the revised school calendar submitted to the state superintendent and any changes in such calendar that the board may require.

(c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to an entire school system only if every school within the system is forced to close for reasons as provided in this Paragraph.

(6)(a) Effective for the 2016-2017 school year and thereafter, the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to any city, parish, or other public school that cannot meet those requirements because the school temporarily shared facilities with another school due to damages caused by a natural disaster or emergency that was declared by the governor pursuant to R.S. 29:724 and that was certified by the state superintendent of education and approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. The state board may require that the school provide a minimum number of daily instructional minutes that is less than the requirements set forth in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and provide other requirements it deems necessary to support student learning.

(b) Such certification by the superintendent and approval by the board shall be in accordance with criteria established pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board for such purpose in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Such rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to a requirement that any such school not able to meet the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall submit to the state superintendent of education for approval, in accordance with time lines established by the state board, documented information explaining why the school could not meet such requirements, any efforts made by the school toward meeting the requirements, and a revised school calendar for the affected school year.

B. With the authorization of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the local school superintendent shall have the authority to dismiss any or all schools in his system due to emergency situations as defined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with rules and regulations of the board which the board shall adopt as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Nothing herein shall be construed to allow a school year to be less than one hundred seventy-seven days of instruction, except as provided in Subsection A of this Section.

C. Each public school governing authority shall determine the school-year calendar for the schools under its jurisdiction. Neither the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education nor the state Department of Education shall determine or require approval of a calendar for any city, parish, or other local public school board in the state.

Acts 1985, No. 92, §1, eff. June 29, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 264, §1, eff. June 30, 1986; H.C.R. No. 174, 1995 R.S.; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 160, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 815, §1; H.C.R. No. 1, 2003 R.S.; Acts 2003, No. 915, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 25, §1, eff. Nov. 29, 2005; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 41, §2, eff. June 12, 2011; Acts 2017, No. 365, §1, eff. June 23, 2017; Acts 2022, No. 323, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:235 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 235
Cooperation of other state agencies and institutions with visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of all state agencies and institutions to cooperate fully with the visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance, in the enforcement of this Sub-part. Such schools and agencies as deal with children between the ages of six and eighteen years of age, both inclusive, shall make available to visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance, such information as will assist them in promoting the regular attendance and school adjustment of these children. It shall be the duty of the principals, superintendents, or heads of the training and correctional schools to notify the visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance, when a child is to be released and/or returned to a parish. Visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance, shall cooperate fully with the state departments of public welfare, labor, and health, and with other state and local agencies in promoting the purposes of this Sub-part, including interchange of confidential and privileged information; and shall cooperate fully with juvenile and family court authorities, training and correctional schools, law enforcement officers, and make such referrals thereto and investigations therefor as seem necessary for the enforcement of this Sub-part, including interchange of confidential and privileged information.

Acts 1964, No. 109, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3138.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3138.10
Stimulating More Advanced Research and Technology (SMART) Program and Fund
Status: in_force

A.(1) The Stimulating More Advanced Research and Technology Program, referred to in this Section as the "SMART Program" or the "program", is hereby established for the purpose of awarding grants to support research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, collectively referred to in this Section as "STEM", at public postsecondary education institutions.

(2) For purposes of this Section, STEM does not include psychology or other behavioral sciences but does include biomedical science and agricultural science.

B. The SMART Program shall be administered by the Board of Regents, referred to in this Section as the "board", which shall provide for application requirements, evaluation criteria, and selection.

C. Grants awarded through the program shall be used to support STEM disciplines for the following purposes:

(1) Matching research grants from federal agencies and other sources.

(2) Awarding hiring bonuses and startup packages for the purpose of attracting distinguished faculty.

(3) Construction, improvement, or procurement of research facilities, laboratories, equipment, and supplies.

(4) Scholarships and stipends for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

D.(1) As funding allows, the board shall award grants on a competitive basis among the four purposes provided for in Subsection C of this Section with a preference for those purposes related to research that has the opportunity for commercialization.

(2)(a) At least twenty percent of the total amount of grants shall be awarded to public postsecondary education institutions outside of the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metropolitan regions.

(b) The board shall award grants such that the percentage of all grant amounts in a year that is awarded to historically black colleges and universities is approximately equal to the percentage of all students enrolled in postsecondary education institutions who are enrolled at historically black colleges and universities.

(3) The board shall not use more than one and one-half percent of the funding available for the program for costs associated with administering the program.

E.(1) The "Stimulating More Advanced Research and Technology Fund", referred to in this Section as the "SMART fund" or the "fund", is hereby created within the state treasury for the purpose of providing funding for the SMART program.

(2) Monies in the fund shall be subject to appropriation by the legislature and shall be available exclusively for use by the board for purposes of the SMART program.

(3) All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and be available for appropriation the next fiscal year. The monies shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and all interest earned shall be credited to the fund following compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.

F. The board shall annually conduct a return on investment analysis for the program and shall submit a written report relative to this analysis to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance not later than January thirty-first annually.

G. The board shall adopt rules and regulations for the implementation of this Section.

H. Implementation of the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds by the legislature for such purposes.

Acts 2022, No. 445, §1, eff. June 15, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3241 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3241
Legislative intent; goals
Status: in_force

A. It is the intent of the legislature that a comprehensive, integrated regional delivery system be provided for the delivery of public postsecondary education services in the New Orleans region which system will:

(1) Provide a world class educational environment that will meet the academic needs and interests of every student, while providing each student with the support, assistance, and guidance necessary to attain his or her educational goals and aspirations.

(2) Ensure that students who are academically unprepared are provided the educational resources they need to have a reasonable chance for success in their academic pursuits.

(3) Raise the educational attainment of the population, improve the quality of life, and contribute to the economic well being of the New Orleans region.

(4) Make optimal use of facilities, faculties, and other academic and fiscal resources associated with the public postsecondary institutions in the region.

B. The legislature finds that these goals will best be accomplished through the following actions:

(1) The Board of Regents shall adopt by not later than February 1, 2012, a written plan of action including timelines, deadlines, requirements, and procedures for achieving the goals specified in Subsection A of this Section as such goals relate to the powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the board provided by Article VIII, Section 5, of the Constitution of Louisiana and other applicable law. The board shall submit copies of the adopted action plan to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education.

(2) The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College's plan pursuant to R.S. 17:3230.1(C)(2) shall set a bold vision for the success of the University of New Orleans and robust implementation of the plan to ensure world-class educational offerings for the Greater New Orleans region. The plan shall address, at a minimum, strong alignment to the workforce needs of the region and the state, a focus on both excellence and efficiency in the integrated delivery of higher education in the region, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement to ensure community support.

Acts 2011, No. 419, §1, eff. July 12, 2011; Acts 2025, No. 447, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3094 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3094
Cooperation of state agencies
Status: in_force

The authority shall develop a plan for the establishment of education saving accounts. The Board of Regents, and any other state agency requested to do so, shall cooperate with the authority and provide technical assistance upon request. To facilitate participation in the program, such plan shall allow for the deposit of small sums of money on a regular, incremental basis.

Acts 1995, No. 547, §1, eff. June 18, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3396.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3396.4
Membership of board of directors; vacancies; compensation; expenses; executive committee
Status: in_force

A. The corporation shall be managed by a board of directors consisting of not less than nine and not more than twelve members. The following individuals shall serve on the board of directors:

(1) The designee of the mayor-president of the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East Baton Rouge.

(2) The designee of the president of the Louisiana State University system.

(3) The designee of the president of the Southern University System.

(4) The designee of the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.

(5) One member selected by the Economic Freedom Association.

(6) In addition, the board members designated in Paragraphs (1) through (5) of this Subsection shall elect at least four but not more than seven individuals to represent the business sector to serve on the board of directors. Any vacancy occurring among the elected members shall be filled in accordance with the bylaws of the corporation.

B. Board members serving by virtue of their appointive or elected offices shall serve during the time that they are elected or appointed to their respective offices. Initial terms of the elected members designated in Paragraph (A)(6) of this Section shall be three years. Elected members may succeed themselves if reelected.

C. Members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but the corporation may reimburse such members, or the institutions which they represent, for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties if such compensation does not violate any other provision of law to the contrary.

D.(1)(a) For the prompt and efficient transaction of business, the bylaws established pursuant to R.S. 17:3396.5(6) may provide for an executive committee of the board of directors and allot to such committee all functions and powers of the board, subject to the general direction and control of the board and the provisions of this Section.

(b) The committee shall consist of seven members of the board of directors, as follows:

(i) Chairman of the board.

(ii) Vice chairman of the board.

(iii) Secretary of the board.

(iv) Treasurer of the board.

(v) Three additional members of the board, elected as provided in the bylaws of the board to one year terms. Such members shall be eligible for reelection to subsequent terms.

(c) The members shall record the proceedings of each meeting of the executive committee.

(2) A majority of the members of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a majority of a quorum shall be required to take action. However, when the board has delegated to the committee full power to act to bind the board with respect to a matter, affirmative action by a majority of the entire committee membership shall be required.

(3) The executive committee shall meet at the call of the board chairman.

(4)(a) The executive committee shall:

(i) Consider such matters as are delegated or referred to it by the board.

(ii) Execute such orders and resolutions as shall be assigned to it at any meeting of the board.

(iii) Take such action as necessary when an emergency requiring immediate action arises during the interim between board meetings.

(b) All acts of the executive committee shall be submitted to the board for ratification or rejection at its next meeting except acts on which the board has delegated to the executive committee full power to act to bind the board.

(c) The provisions of R.S. 17:3396.8 shall apply to the actions of the executive committee in the same manner and to the same extent as it does to the board.

Acts 1992, No. 882, §1; Acts 1995, No. 294, §1; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 21, §1, eff. April 18, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 995, §1, eff. July 2, 2003; Acts 2008, No. 419, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1989.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1989.5
Appropriations; other sources of revenue
Status: in_force

A. The legislature shall appropriate to the program each year sufficient funds for the program's support. Such appropriation shall be made directly to the program and shall not be deposited to the account of or commingled with the funds of any other program or entity.

B. The director may charge reasonable fees and tuition, which shall be paid in the manner as determined by the director.

C. The director, on behalf of the program, shall be authorized to apply for and receive grants, gifts, bequests, and other funds from any public and private sources not prohibited by law, including the federal government. Any grants, bequests, gifts, or other similar funds placed in the possession of the program shall be the sole property of the program and subject to its exclusive control.

D. Funds received from sources other than the legislative appropriation described herein shall not supplant such legislative appropriation, but shall be in addition and supplemental thereto.

Acts 1999, No. 595, §1, eff. June 30, 1999.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3312 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3312
Use of sick leave
Status: in_force

A. Sick leave may be used as follows:

(1) Sick leave with pay may be taken by an employee who has sufficient leave to his credit for the following:

(a) Illness or injury which prevents performance of his usual duties.

(b) Medical, dental, or optical consultation or treatment.

(c) Care for an immediate family member who is ill or injured.

(d) Accompanying an immediate family member to a medical, dental, or optical consultation or treatment.

(2) The minimum charge for sick leave shall be four hours (1/2 day) and if more, shall be charged in hour increments to the nearest hour.

(3) The employee may use sick leave for maternity purposes when postnatal or prenatal condition of the employee prevents the performance of usual duties provided the employee has sufficient sick leave credit. The limit to the use of sick leave for a postnatal condition is six weeks except if a physician certifies inability to return to work.

(4) An appointing authority may advance sick leave with pay in an amount not exceeding twenty-two working days to an unclassified employee who has exhausted all his sick leave.

(5) The value of any advanced sick leave which has not been repaid at the time of the employee separation from the unclassified service shall be deducted from his last paycheck and/or paid in cash to the appointing authority unless the separation is for the purpose of moving to another state agency, in which case the advanced sick leave shall be forwarded to the agency accepting him as an employee.

(6) Upon separation caused by disability, death or retirement, all advanced sick leave shall be cancelled.

(7) Upon death or retirement of an unclassified employee, sick leave accrued to his credit shall be computed and the value thereof shall be paid to him provided that the sick leave had been accrued under established leave regulations and a daily attendance record has been maintained for the employee by his supervisor, except that such payment shall not exceed the value of twenty-five working days computed on the basis of a five-day week and on a four-week per month basis for personnel employed on a less than twelve month employment basis and on the basis of a five-day week and fifty-two week year for twelve-month employees. The rate of pay shall be computed utilizing the base rate the employee is receiving at the time of termination.

(8) As used in this Subsection, "immediate family member" means a spouse, parent, or child of an employee.

B.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of Subsection A of this Section to the contrary, every unclassified employee who is employed by a public postsecondary education management board shall be entitled to and shall be allowed to use up to two days absence during each academic year without loss of pay for personal purposes as may be determined by the employee. The employee requesting such personal leave shall give his immediate supervisor at least twenty-four hours notice prior to taking the leave. The personal leave shall be charged to and deducted from the employee's sick leave for the current year or sick leave accumulated as provided by R.S. 17:3311. Personal leave shall not be accumulated from year to year nor shall personal leave be compensated for upon the death or retirement of the employee or paid in any other manner except as provided by this Subsection.

(2) The provisions of this Subsection shall not be applicable to any unclassified employee who receives annual leave.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 313, §2, eff. July 17, 1975; Acts 2008, No. 508, §1; Acts 2020, No. 241, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2196.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2196.1
Findings and declaration of policy
Status: in_force

The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds that the security and welfare of the State of Louisiana require that this and future generations of Louisiana be assured ample opportunity for the fullest development of their intellectual capabilities and that this opportunity will be jeopardized unless Louisiana's colleges and universities are encouraged and assisted in their efforts to accommodate rapidly growing numbers of youth who aspire to a higher education. The Louisiana Legislature further finds and declares that these needs are so great and these steps so urgent that it is incumbent on Louisiana to take positive and immediate action to meet these needs through assistance to institutions of higher education, including graduate and undergraduate institutions, junior and community colleges and technical institutes in providing certain academic facilities.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 376, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3773 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3773
Pilot program; administration; procedure
Status: in_force

A. Upon the direction of the department, each system shall select one school within its jurisdiction, the principal of which is willing to participate in this program, which does or is likely to have several new teachers and which has several teachers who meet the qualifications to be a mentor who are willing to participate. The principal in each selected school shall explain the program to all the new teachers in his school and shall ascertain which of them would be willing to participate in the program. If more than one new teacher is willing to participate, the principal shall select the new teacher by random lot who shall participate. If no new teachers are willing to participate, the system shall select another school. Immediately after the selection of the participating new teacher, the principal shall cause a secret ballot election to occur to select from among all teachers in his school who are qualified and willing to be a mentor the teacher who shall be recommended as the mentor. In such election each certified member of the faculty, excluding administrators and new teachers, shall have one vote. Should the recommended teacher fail to be named a mentor by the system, another election shall be held to choose from among the remaining candidates.

B. The mentor and the teacher shall interact together for the announced duration of this program, during which time they shall be permitted by the principal to consult with each other as freely as possible, regularly observe each other in the classroom, and collaborate on such projects as they desire. The principal shall be as cooperative as possible in arranging schedules so that observations can take place. Exchanges between the new teacher and the mentor shall be considered confidential and neither shall be required or permitted, except as is mutually agreeable, to reveal the nature of their exchanges or any personal information shared or learned as a result of their relationship. However, any teaching techniques, strategies, classroom management procedures, or other such information learned by either as a result of this process shall not be confidential and shall be shared during the evaluation of the program as provided in R.S. 17:3776. The mentor, new teacher, and principal shall meet at least twice a month to discuss the program and to make any recommendations to one another that may make the program more beneficial.

C. The mentor shall be compensated for all work done as a mentor outside of his regular required workday, not to exceed ten hours a week. All such hours shall be accounted for to the principal who shall report them as necessary for payroll purposes to the system. Such additional compensation shall be paid for by state money allocated for the program pursuant to R.S. 17:3777 and shall be paid based on an hourly wage calculated by prorating the amount of regular compensation, including enhancements resulting from participation in the Louisiana Educational Employees Professional Improvement Program, when applicable, which are attributable to the state over the total number of hours of work contained in a school year.

D. The board shall adopt and promulgate such rules and guidelines for the conducting of this program as it deems necessary in order to achieve the maximum beneficial result. Such rules shall include whatever reporting procedures are necessary.

Acts 1986, No. 713, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3050.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3050.11
Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established in the state treasury a special fund, to be known as the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund, referred to in this Chapter as the "fund". The fund shall consist of monies received by legislative appropriation and from grants and donations. Deposits into the fund shall comply with the provisions of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.

B. Monies in the fund shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and interest earned on the investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund.

C.(1) Subject to legislative appropriation, the Louisiana Department of Health, office of the secretary, hereinafter referred to in this Section as "department", is hereby authorized and directed to determine how monies in the fund are allocated and expended through a multiple year plan, solely and exclusively for the following purposes:

(a) Meet the current and growing employment demands for nursing and allied health professionals by increasing the capacity of nursing and allied health training programs through supporting initiatives such as increasing faculty positions and clinical preceptors in nursing and allied health schools.

(b) Support the nursing and allied health professions by providing incentives that financially support student financial stipends and tuition forgiveness contingent upon employment in Louisiana healthcare facilities or nursing or allied health schools.

(c) Provide incentives for nursing and allied healthcare professionals to practice in Louisiana with an emphasis on medically underserved areas of the state.

(d) Support dual enrollment and pathway programs between high school career and technical programs and other healthcare programs.

(e) Support strategies for healthcare organizations to increase career pathways and apprenticeship programs.

(f) Raise awareness of and interest in a broad variety of healthcare occupations and reduce the barriers to access to the healthcare programs necessary to pursue these occupations, including financial barriers.

(2) Monies in the fund shall not be used for construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of structures.

D.(1) The department may utilize monies in the fund for funding grant proposals that support efforts with training and education programs and institutions for the purpose of increasing educational opportunities and training of Louisiana residents who are seeking enrollment or are currently enrolled in healthcare training or education programs in Louisiana. Such grant proposals may include financial incentives to support Louisiana students in nursing and allied health profession training or education programs.

(2) The department may utilize monies in the fund in order to fund nursing or allied health internships at licensed healthcare providers in Louisiana, including healthcare providers owned or operated by the state of Louisiana.

(3) The department may utilize monies in the fund for funding grant proposals that support joint efforts between healthcare industry partners and education programs for the purpose of increasing training opportunities for Louisiana residents who are seeking enrollment or are currently enrolled in healthcare education programs in Louisiana.

(4) The department may utilize monies in the fund, not to exceed ten percent of the fund annually, for administrative costs to implement grant proposals or programs that meet the purposes of this Section and fulfill the provisions of this Section.

(5) At least annually, the department shall publish a notice of funding opportunity on its website for not less than sixty days prior to the deadline to submit a notice of intent to apply for a grant. The notification of funding opportunity shall include all of the following:

(a) The grant period.

(b) The date by which to submit a notice of intent to apply for a grant.

(c) The deadline to apply for the grant. Proposals shall be accepted as early as thirty days following the notice of intent deadline.

(d) The dollar amount of available grant awards.

(6) Grant proposals shall include the following components which shall be used to prioritize funding along with the evaluation criteria established in Paragraph (7) of this Subsection:

(a) The total amount of funds requested and a detailed budget for the expenditure of these funds, including personnel, operating expenses, equipment acquisitions, training expenses, and other allowable expenses as outlined in the administrative rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Section.

(b) A narrative explaining how the grant award will increase training of nursing and allied healthcare providers and specific deliverables of the healthcare industry partner and the education program.

(c) A declaration that statutory requirements shall be satisfied.

(d) A statement that the healthcare industry partner shall match, with monies or in-kind contributions, at least an amount equal to the grant award. The statement shall indicate the cash or in-kind amounts that the healthcare partner plans to contribute.

(7) The department shall evaluate and rank each completed and timely submitted proposal. The department shall consider the strength of the proposed programs, the geographic location of the proposals, and statewide workforce demands in order to promote the distribution of grant awards and avoid a concentration of grant awards in any single region of the state. The department shall evaluate the proposals on all of the following minimum criteria:

(a) Whether the funds committed by the healthcare industry partner will contribute to an eligible purpose.

(b) How the funds will be utilized to increase enrollment and program completion.

(c) How the healthcare industry partner will onboard and retain graduates.

(d) How the funds will expand nursing and allied health education programs to meet local, regional, or state workforce demands. If applicable, this shall include advanced education nursing programs and how the funds will increase the number of faculty and clinical preceptors.

(8) Prior to issuing a notice of award to any grantee, the department shall submit the proposed grant awards to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget for approval. The department shall award grant funding in response to eligible grant proposals based on Paragraphs (6) and (7) of this Subsection and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Section. The department shall notify the grant applicant of the approved proposals and award amounts.

(9) Prior to the release of a grant award, the grantee shall provide to the department documentation of the grantee's cash or in-kind contribution.

(10) Awards shall be released on no more than a quarterly basis.

(11) Each grantee shall submit a report to the department on performance metrics and outcomes pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Section.

E. On or before March first of each calendar year, the department shall submit a plan of fund allocation for the next fiscal year to the House Committee on Health and Welfare, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

F. The department shall submit a comprehensive annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the House Committee on Health and Welfare no later than sixty days after the end of the fiscal year in which monies were appropriated pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

G. The department may enter into any contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative endeavor agreement with a grantee, healthcare industry partner, or education program that may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Section.

H. The department shall promulgate rules and adopt regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

I. To effectuate the provisions of this Section, the Louisiana Board of Regents shall assist the department with information and documentation on training and education programs and institutions related to nursing and allied health professions and related matters.

Acts 2021, No. 109, §1; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1; Acts 2024, No. 607, §1, eff. July 1, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1204 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1204
Penalty for violations
Status: in_force

Whoever violates the provisions of this Sub-part shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than five days nor more than thirty days, or both.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3041.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3041.13
Cancellation
Status: in_force

The commission shall have authority to cancel any contract made between it and any applicant upon cause deemed sufficient by the commission, and the commission shall have authority to cancel such contracts which it may lawfully cancel made with any of the schools as herein provided.

Acts 1997, No. 281, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:106 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 106
Objections and requests; hearings and investigations
Status: in_force

A parent or guardian of a pupil may file in writing with the local school board objections to the assignment of the pupil to a particular school, or may request by petition in writing, assignment or transfer to a designated school or to another school to be designated by the board. Unless a hearing is requested, the board shall act upon the same within 30 days, stating its conclusion. If a hearing is requested, the same shall be held beginning within 30 days from receipt by the board of the objection or petition at a time and place designated by the board.

The board may itself conduct such hearing or may designate not less than three of its members to conduct the same and may provide that the decision of the members designated or a majority thereof shall be final on behalf of the board. The school board is authorized to designate one or more of its members or one or more competent examiners to conduct any such hearings, and to take testimony, and to make a report of the hearings to the entire board for its determination. No final order shall be entered in such case until each member of the school board has personally considered the entire record.

In addition to hearing such evidence relevant to the individual pupil as may be presented on behalf of the petitioner, the board shall be authorized to conduct investigations as to any objection or request, including examination of the pupil or pupils involved, and may employ such agents and others, professional and otherwise, as it may deem necessary for the purpose of such investigations and examinations.

For the purpose of conducting hearings or investigations hereunder, the board shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations and the power to issue subpoenas in the name of the state of Louisiana to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence. All such subpoenas shall be served by the sheriff or any deputy of the parish to which the same is directed; and such sheriff or deputy shall be entitled to the same fees for serving such subpoenas as are allowed for the service of subpoenas from a district court. In the event any person fails or refuses to obey a subpoena issued hereunder, any district court of this state within the jurisdiction of which the hearing is held or within the jurisdiction of which said person is found or resides, upon application by the board or its representatives, shall have the power to compel such person to appear before the board and to give testimony or produce evidence as ordered; and any failure to obey such an order of the court may be punished by the court issuing the same as a contempt thereof. Witnesses at hearings conducted under this Sub-part shall be entitled to the same fees as provided by law for witnesses in the district courts, which fees shall be paid as a part of the costs of the proceeding.

Acts 1960, No. 492, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1601.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1601.6
The Dean Millie M. Charles School of Social Work
Status: in_force

The school of social work building being constructed and located on the north side of Southern University at New Orleans, operated by and under the authority of the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, is designated and shall be known hereafter as the "Dean Millie M. Charles School of Social Work".

Acts 2005, No. 108, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3369.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3369.4
College and University Deferred Maintenance and Capital Improvement Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created as a special fund in the state treasury the College and University Deferred Maintenance and Capital Improvement Fund, hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "fund". The source of monies in the fund shall be the proceeds of any bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 17:3369.3; any monies transferred or appropriated by the legislature including federal funds; all donations, gifts, or grants received by the state for the fund; and any other monies which may be provided for the fund or the purposes of this Part by law. Deposits into the fund shall comply with the provisions of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Monies in the fund shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and any interest earned on the investment of such monies shall be deposited in and credited to the fund.

B. Subject to appropriation, monies in the fund shall be used solely and exclusively by the office of facility planning and control to pay expenses associated with addressing deferred maintenance of public facilities under the control of the board in accordance with the limitations and restrictions provided for in this Part.

Acts 2024, No. 751, §1, eff. June 19, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:4072 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 4072
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund
Status: in_force

A. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Fund is hereby created in the state treasury for the purpose of conducting student-focused, project-based, programs and competitions in STEM subjects, including robotics, coding, and design-build test projects, in grades prekindergarten through college level.

B.(1) The source of monies deposited into the fund shall be legislative appropriations. Monies in the fund shall be subject to appropriation by the legislature and shall be available exclusively for programs and initiatives prescribed by the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council.

(2) The treasurer is hereby authorized to establish a separate account within the fund for the deposit of grants and donations received by the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council. If the terms and conditions of the grant or donation or the agreements pertaining thereto require that the monies not be deposited into the treasury, the grant or donation may nevertheless be deposited into the fund. Monies in this separate account shall not be subject to legislative appropriation but shall be used by the council only to further their mission.

C. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Such monies shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and interest earned on the investment of these monies shall be credited to the fund, after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.

D. The council shall adopt a resolution stating which members or officers are authorized to withdraw money from the fund and the separate account in the fund, which resolution shall be submitted to the state treasury. Monies in the fund and the separate account shall only be used by the council to further their mission.

Acts 2017, No. 392, §1, eff. June 23, 2017.

NOTE: See Acts 2017, No. 392, §3, that provides that the Act does not supercede the powers of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, or the postsecondary education management boards as prescribed by law.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:391.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 391.10
Monitoring of programs by Department of Education
Status: in_force

A. The state Department of Education shall periodically monitor all programs of educational accountability established pursuant to the provisions of this Part. The methodology to be used in monitoring such programs shall be established by the state Department of Education with the approval of its governing authority and shall be sufficient to determine whether such programs have been implemented, to what extent they have been implemented, and whether such programs comply with the provisions of this Part. Copies of the accountability evaluation procedure, evaluation forms, and program as established by the local school board and approved by the state Department of Education shall be distributed through the local school systems to all employees affected by the educational accountability program.

B. If, in conducting such monitoring, the state Department of Education determines that a school system has failed to implement its programs of educational accountability properly or that a school system has failed to comply with the provisions of this Part, the state Department of Education shall notify such system of such failure, and the school system shall correct such failure within sixty calendar days after receiving such notification. The state Department of Education shall also notify the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of such failure by the school system.

If the failures are not corrected within the prescribed sixty calendar days, the state Department of Education shall notify the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of such continued failure and shall recommend to the board whatever sanctions against such school system the department deems appropriate. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall act upon such recommendation within sixty calendar days after its receipt.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 605, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2196.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2196.9
Issuance of bonds under annual interest grants with U.S. Commissioner of Education
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provisions of Subpart C of Part 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 17, after July 13, 1970, the board through the State Bond Commission as created by R.S. 39:1401-39:1406 is hereby authorized to issue and sell bonds under the provisions of said Subpart C for the purposes therein if the issuing board shall have entered into an annual interest grant agreement with the U.S. Commissioner of Education under Title 3 of the 1963 Act as amended on a portion of the bonds to be issued under Subpart C hereof.

Added by Acts 1970, No. 283, §1, emerg. eff. July 13, 1970 at 2:40 P.M.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2803 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2803
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Cooperative" means a corporation organized under this Chapter and a corporation which becomes subject to this Chapter in the manner provided in this Chapter.

(2) "Member" means each incorporator of a cooperative and each person admitted to and retaining membership therein, and shall include a husband and wife admitted to joint membership.

(3) "Person" includes any natural person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, partnership, state or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any body politic.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 257, §3; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2048.31 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2048.31
Allied health professionals training programs; student admittance; documentation; records; authorization to obtain criminal history record information
Status: in_force

A. Every vocational institute, college, university, school, and institution offering training for an allied health professional identified for study by the commission shall, beginning no later than sixty days after notice to it by the commission, keep a record of every request received for admittance into said training program. Such record shall be maintained for each different program identified and shall document the response to the request, whether the response was admittance, denial, wait listing, or diversion into another program. The record shall contain the reason for the denial of any student requesting admittance into the training program.

B. Such records shall be submitted to the Board of Regents and the postsecondary education management boards on a quarterly basis.

C.(1) The Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges may:

(a) Request and obtain state and national criminal history record information on any person making application to enroll as a student in a health occupations training program at a vocational institute or community college.

(b) Charge and collect from an applicant, in addition to all other applicable fees and costs, such amount as may be incurred by the board in requesting and obtaining criminal history record information on the applicant.

(c) In cooperation with the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information of the office of state police within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections promulgate the rules and regulations, and establish procedures in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act that are necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

(2) Any and all state or national criminal history record information obtained by the board which is not already a matter of public record shall be deemed nonpublic and confidential information restricted to the exclusive use of the board, its members, officers, investigators, agents, and attorneys in evaluating the applicant's eligibility or disqualification for enrollment. No such information or records related thereto shall, except with the written consent of the applicant or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, be released or otherwise disclosed by the board to any other person or agency.

(3) The board shall provide each institution under its jurisdiction with written standards specifying the requirements that must be met by an applicant to a health occupations training program and the grounds on which an applicant may be denied acceptance to a program or denied any license or permit upon completion of a program. The institution shall provide a copy of such standards to any person making application.

Acts 1992, No. 1047, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1343, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2012, No. 811, §5, eff. July 1, 2012.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2921 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2921
Short title
Status: in_force

This Chapter may be cited as the Louisiana Student College and Career Readiness Act.

Acts 2009, No. 257, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:104.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 104.1
Local boards; authority; effect of provisional custody by mandate
Status: in_force

A mandate of provisional custody for the care, custody, and control of a minor child pursuant to R.S. 9:951 through 954 shall in no way limit the authority and responsibility of a city or parish school board to provide for the assignment, transfer, and continuance of pupils among and within the public schools within its jurisdiction or on the authority of a board to prescribe rules and regulations pertaining to these functions, including but not limited to the determination of student residency for school attendance and school transportation purposes.

Acts 1993, No. 94, §1, eff. May 26, 1993.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:97.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 97.2
Formula for minimum foundation program; additional funds not to be used in formula
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, beginning with the 1983-84 fiscal year, in the calculation of local support in any formula adopted by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and approved by the legislature as required by Article VIII, Section 13(B) of the Louisiana Constitution for the allocation of funds to insure a minimum foundation program of education in all public elementary and secondary schools, the gross yield derived by applying the millage rate required by the formula to the current assessed value of any mineral resource properties which are under protest pending litigation on the interstate commerce status of such property at the time of assessment, shall be deducted from the entire gross yield derived by applying said millage rate to the current assessed value of all taxable property used in such calculation.

B. The Louisiana Tax Commission shall provide the Department of Education all necessary information relative to the assessed value of such mineral resource properties as may be required for the calculations provided for in this Section.

C. However, if as a result of the court decision rendered in any such litigation, the mineral resource properties in question are determined to be taxable, then the total cumulative yield derived by applying the millage rate required by the formula to the assessed value of said properties in each of the fiscal years that said deductions were made shall be taken into account in the calculation of that parish or city school board's amount of local support in any formula or appropriation of state funds for purposes of providing a minimum foundation program of education in the subsequent fiscal year.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 339, §1; eff. June 30, 1983.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3399.24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3399.24
Housing
Status: in_force

In order to ensure that current and former homeless and foster youth have access to stable housing, a public postsecondary education institution that offers student housing may develop a plan to provide that these students have access to housing resources as needed during and between academic terms. The plan may grant them first priority for housing placement and provide that they be placed in the institution's housing facility that remains open for occupation during the most days in a calendar year.

Acts 2016, No. 306, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:87.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 87.5
Surveys by state; approval by parish school board; agreements with landowners
Status: in_force

In all cases where a survey has been, or may hereafter be made and approved in accordance with Act 232 of 1934, or Title 50, Chapter 3, Part I, of the Revised Statutes, or both, and such survey embraces all or a portion of a sixteenth section or fractional sixteenth section school lands, the parish school board of the parish in which such sixteenth section or fractional section, or portion thereof, is situated, shall approve such survey and the location and boundaries of said school lands, and enter into conventional written agreements to that effect with any landowner whose lands adjoin said school lands. Such approval and conventional agreement shall be binding in all respects upon the parish school board and the state of Louisiana.

Added by Acts 1952, No. 225, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3042.54 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3042.54
Contract required; cancellation
Status: in_force

A. Before the commission makes a loan for an applicant, the applicant shall enter into a contract with the commission, agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the loan shall be made, which said contract shall include such terms and provisions as will carry out the full purpose and intent of this Chapter. The form for the contract shall be prepared and approved by the commission and shall be signed by such officer or employee of the commission as the commission shall designate, and shall be signed by the applicant.

B.(1) The obligation of the applicant to repay a loan pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall remain in effect until the applicant has repaid the loan and the interest thereon as provided in this Chapter or the commission has forgiven the loan, all in accordance with the terms of the contract with the applicant for the loan.

(2) Upon breach of any terms of the contract by the applicant, or for any cause deemed sufficient by the commission, the remaining amount of the loan paid to the applicant which the commission has not forgiven in return for service shall become due and payable by the applicant in accordance with the terms of the contract between the commission and the applicant and the commission shall take all necessary steps to secure collection.

C. The commission is hereby vested with full and complete authority and power to sue in its own name any applicant for any balance due on a loan made by the commission.

Acts 2003, No. 885, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:406.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 406.1
Findings, declaration of necessity, and purpose
Status: in_force

A. It is hereby found and declared that:

(1) It has been clearly demonstrated that parental involvement in the schools is directly related to better student achievement, attitudes, and performance in school.

(2) Demographics of the American family are changing to the degree that significant numbers of children attending school come from families with single parents, families in which both parents are employed outside the home, families in which one or more of the parents lack the education and skill to assist their children in learning, and from environments in which the primary caregiver is not the biological parent.

(3) These demographics mean that current approaches to developing and maintaining partnerships between families and educators require review and modification to make them more responsive to the needs of both families and schools.

(4) The division of state agencies and functions often inhibits the development of coordinated policies to improve family involvement in the learning achievement of children and in the management of the schools.

(5) Effective approaches to involving families more fully as partners in the process of their children's learning require the participation and coordination of numerous state and local, public and private agencies and should be encouraged as a matter of state policy.

B. The purpose of this Part is to encourage state and local agencies to increase the involvement of parents and families in the improvement of the learning achievement of children and in the life of the schools.

Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:10.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 10.8
School and district accountability system; early intervention program; purpose; responsibilities of state board
Status: in_force

A. As part of the school and district accountability system established pursuant to R.S. 17:10.1, et seq., the state Department of Education, hereafter referred to as the department, shall develop and establish, subject to the approval of and rules adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, a program that provides for early identification of low performing schools that are at risk of being labeled "academically unacceptable" and provides targeted interventions that are designed to address identified areas of weakness and prevent the low-performing school from failing. The department shall begin development and establishment of the program in any fiscal year in which monies are specifically appropriated for such purpose.

B. The department shall develop the criteria used to identify schools that are at risk of being labeled "academically unacceptable" which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) The school has a baseline school performance score that is not more than ten points higher than the score required to be labeled "academically unacceptable" or, for a new school with no baseline school performance score, an assessment index calculation that has an equivalent concordant value.

(2) Such school has not met its established growth target for two consecutive years and does not evidence signs of academic progress.

C. The department shall develop interventions, actions, and strategies to address all identified areas of weakness.

D. The department shall take all steps necessary to ensure that the school is effectively implementing all department recommendations, and shall provide sufficient technical assistance and other resources needed to adequately address the school's identified areas of weakness and improve school performance.

Acts 2008, No. 772, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3804 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3804
Legislative oversight
Status: in_force

A. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and the Joint Legislative Committee on Education, each referred to as the "education funds committee" in R.S. 17:3802 through 3804, shall have oversight authority as provided in this Section.

B. The purpose of the education funds committee is to oversee the operation of the Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, and the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund. The education funds committee may recommend revisions in the program and budget of either board. The education funds committee shall forward its recommendations to the appropriate board.

C. The education funds committee shall:

(1) Meet, upon call of the chair, as often as necessary but not less often than twice a year. A meeting shall occur before the beginning of each regular session but after receipt of the proposed programs and budgets as required by the constitution. A meeting shall also occur during the year at an appropriate time to examine the quality of the programs to which trust fund monies were appropriated and allocated.

(2) Hold hearings on and review the proposed program and budget, including administrative costs, of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents.

(3) Examine and report on the quality and efficacy of any expenditures made from the support fund designed to improve education.

D. The education funds committee may:

(1) Review the policies and procedures used by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents to award and allocate monies from the support fund.

(2) Adopt such rules and regulations with regard to its own functions and procedures as are consistent with the efficient conduct of its duties.

(3) Incur such expenses as are necessary for carrying out its duties and responsibilities in accordance with procedures established by the rules of the respective houses.

(4) Review program evaluations conducted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents and fiscal audits conducted by the Legislative Auditor.

Acts 1989, No. 675, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 2013, No. 56, §1, eff. May 29, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:273.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 273.4
State Seal of Biliteracy
Status: in_force

A. The legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage excellence for all students, and the legislature wishes to publicly recognize students for exemplary achievements in academic studies.

(2) The study of world languages in public elementary and secondary schools should be encouraged because it contributes to a student's cognitive development, the national economy, and national security.

(3) Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in enabling Louisiana residents to participate effectively in a global political, social, and economic context and in expanding trade with other countries.

(4) The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing both in Louisiana and throughout the world.

(5) The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in more than one language are clear and include access to an expanded market, allowing business owners to better serve their customers' needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better target a particular audience and open a channel of communication with customers.

(6) The maintenance and promotion of Louisiana's heritage languages among its youth contributes to the vibrancy of the state's culture and supports its unique place in the United States and the world.

(7) It is the intent of the legislature to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of these skills through the establishment of the State Seal of Biliteracy.

B. The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:

(1) To encourage students to study languages.

(2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.

(4) To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare students with twenty-first century skills.

(6) To recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools.

(7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

(8) To continue and renew Louisiana's historical tradition of bilingualism.

C.(1) The state superintendent of education shall be responsible for the following:

(a) Preparing and delivering to participating public school governing authorities an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of a student who has earned the State Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) Providing other information he deems necessary for school governing authorities to successfully participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program.

(2) Public school governing authorities are encouraged but not required to participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program. A participating school governing authority shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned the seal and affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each student who earns the seal.

D.(1) The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies that a student meets all of the following criteria:

(a) Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation.

(b) Passing the Reading and English parts of the ACT series with a score of nineteen or above.

(c) Proficiency at the intermediate-high level or above in one or more languages other than English, demonstrated through one of the following methods:

(i) Passing a world language Advanced Placement examination or a world language International Baccalaureate examination with a score determined by the state Department of Education, in consultation with the examination provider, to be indicative of language proficiency.

(ii) Completion of a four-year high school course of study in a world language or completion of at least four Carnegie units in content courses in a world language immersion setting.

(iii) Passing a foreign government's approved language examination and receiving a certificate of competency from the authorizing government agency at the corresponding European B2 level.

(iv) Passing a nationally recognized world language proficiency examination with a score determined by the state Department of Education, in consultation with the examination provider, to be indicative of language proficiency.

(2) If the primary language of a student in grades nine through twelve is other than English, he shall do both of the following in order to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy:

(a) Attain a composite score of proficient on an English language development assessment that addresses all modes of communication.

(b) Meet the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

E.(1) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section.

(2) For purposes of this Section, "world language" means a language other than English and includes American Sign Language.

Acts 2014, No. 99, §1; Acts 2018, No. 89, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:172 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 172
Procedures for making complaints or requesting information from schools; parental notification; rules and regulations
Status: in_force

A. The governing authority of each city, parish, or other local public school shall adopt rules and regulations to require each school under its jurisdiction to notify the parent or legal guardian of every student, in writing, of the proper process and procedures to be followed in order to make a complaint or request information from the school or the school's governing authority.

B. Such information shall include, at a minimum, the name, address, phone number, and email address of the appropriate person to contact at each step of the prescribed process or procedure and shall be updated, at least, on an annual basis. Such information shall be incorporated into any existing policy or policies, code of conduct, or student handbook of the governing authority or of each school under its jurisdiction.

C. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter, the information required by this Section shall be provided to the parent or legal guardian of each public school student at the beginning of each school year.

Acts 2008, No. 907, §1, eff. July 11, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:166.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 166.1
School transportation of students; alternative means of transportation
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, a city, parish, or other local public school board may contract with a transportation network company to transport students under the age of eighteen to or from a school or school-related or sanctioned activity when the transportation network company is in compliance with this Section and meets the following requirements:

(1) The driver is at least twenty-one years of age and possesses a valid Louisiana driver's license for a minimum of three years.

(2) The driver has undergone a background check process which includes:

(a) A national and state fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information in the office of state police pursuant to R.S. 15:587.1 and R.S. 17:15(A)(1)(c).

(b) A clear Louisiana child abuse and neglect screen.

(3) The company shall provide child safety education to the driver, to include:

(a) Safe driving practices.

(b) First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(c) Special considerations for transporting youth with disabilities.

(d) Safe pick-up and drop-off procedures.

(e) Laws on proper child restraint systems.

(4) The company shall implement a technology-enabled solution that:

(a) Provides end-to-end viability of the ride and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of the ride in real-time for the company, the passenger's legal guardian, and, if different from the legal guardian, the person or entity who scheduled the ride.

(b) Monitors the ride in real-time for safety-related anomalies.

(c) Provides the passenger's legal guardian with the ability to contact the driver and the company directly.

(5) The company shall implement ride-tracking technology that allows for the detection of the following driving behaviors:

(a) Device use.

(b) Speeding.

(c) Hard turning.

(d) Hard braking.

(e) Hard acceleration.

(f) Collision detection.

(6) The company shall ensure that vehicles used to provide these services are:

(a) Vehicles originally designed for not more than eight passengers, including the driver.

(b) No more than thirteen years old.

(c) Inspected annually by a mechanic.

(7) A driver shall complete and document a daily pre-trip inspection before providing a ride pursuant to a contract under this Section. The driver, on the pre-trip inspection, shall:

(a) List any defects or deficiencies which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle.

(b) If no defects or deficiencies are discovered by or reported to the driver, the documented inspection shall so indicate.

(8) Prior to performing services provided under this Section, any noted defects or deficiencies listed in the annual or documented pre-trip vehicle inspection shall be repaired or corrected.

(9) The company shall maintain commercial automotive insurance that does not contain an exclusion for the transportation of an unaccompanied minor.

(10) The company shall publish an annual safety report on its website.

B. Any rules promulgated by the department consistent with this Section, and the contract between the transportation network company and a city, parish, or other local public school board, shall exclusively govern the services arranged by the company under this Section.

Acts 2025, No. 42, §1, eff. June 4, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:407.92 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 407.92
Authorization of local early learning enrollment coordinators
Status: in_force

A. Prior to authorizing local early learning enrollment coordinators, the state board shall:

(1) Provide the governing authority of each public school system and each early learning center, nonpublic school which provides publicly funded early childhood services, and Head Start grantee located within the geographic boundaries of the public school system with an assessment of the extent to which these providers of early childhood services coordinate their efforts to:

(a) Inform families about the availability of publicly funded and Type III licensed early childhood care and education programs serving students four years of age or younger.

(b) Coordinate enrollment, eligibility criteria, and waiting lists to ensure that families are referred to other available publicly funded early childhood programs should they be ineligible for or unable to access their primary choice.

(c) Collect family preferences regarding enrollment choices for publicly funded and Type III licensed early childhood care and education programs.

(d) Enroll children who are economically disadvantaged, using available public funds, based upon stated family preferences.

(2) Provide public school systems, early learning centers, nonpublic schools, Early Head Start grantees, and Head Start grantees with a designated time period in which the local early enrollment coordination activities will be developed and implemented.

(3) Publish a list of public school systems within whose geographic boundaries there is no coordinated effort by the public school system and the early learning centers, nonpublic schools which provide publicly funded early childhood services, and Head Start grantees to:

(a) Inform families about the availability of publicly funded and Type III licensed early childhood care and education programs serving students four years of age or younger.

(b) Coordinate enrollment, eligibility criteria, and waiting lists to ensure that families are referred to other available publicly funded early childhood programs should they be ineligible for or unable to access their primary choice.

(c) Collect family preferences regarding enrollment choices for publicly funded and Type III licensed early childhood care and education programs.

(d) Enroll children who are economically disadvantaged, using available public funds, based upon stated family preferences.

(4) Provide public school systems, early learning centers, nonpublic schools, Early Head Start grantees, and Head Start grantees with a designated time period in which the local early enrollment coordination activities will be developed and implemented.

(5) Approve a process to authorize entities as local early learning enrollment coordinators to begin performing required services in the geographic boundaries of public school systems identified pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(6) Not certify any entity as a local early learning enrollment coordinator under this Section unless it is in compliance with procedures and regulations established by the state board. The entity shall be a state agency, a public school system, a nonprofit or for-profit corporation having an educational or social services mission, including but not limited to a nonprofit corporation of a philanthropic or policy nature, a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution, or a nonprofit corporation established by the governing authority of a parish or municipality.

(7) Review each proposed local early learning enrollment coordinator in a timely manner and determine whether each proposed local early learning enrollment coordinator complies with the law and rules and whether the proposal is valid, complete, and financially well-structured.

(8) Approve a process by which the department serves as the local early learning enrollment coordinator for those coverage areas without an approved entity.

(9) Promulgate rules establishing an appeals process and designating the department to oversee the process through which families and early learning centers have the opportunity to appeal decisions made by local early learning enrollment coordinators.

B.(1) The initial authorization of a local early learning enrollment coordinator shall be for a period up to five years.

(2) After the initial authorization period, the state board may grant renewal of authorization for additional periods of not less than three years nor more than five years after thorough review of the local early learning enrollment coordinator activities.

Acts 2014, No. 717, §1, eff. June 18, 2014; Acts 2018, No. 307, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:8.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 8.4
Certification of principals and superintendents
Status: in_force

A.(1) Any person applying for initial certification as a principal or vice, assistant, or deputy principal, referred to in this Section as a principal, in addition to any other requirements of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall have passed the administrative portion of the educational leadership exam adopted by and at a level determined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2) Any person applying for initial certification as a principal or superintendent, in addition to any other requirements of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall have satisfactorily passed the appropriate assessment instrument selected by the board at a level determined by the board.

(3) Any principal who holds valid out-of-state certification as a principal and has at least four years of successful experience as a principal in another state as determined by the board shall not be required to take the examination administered in accordance with the provisions of this Section or to submit any examination scores from any examination previously taken in another state as a prerequisite to the granting of certification in Louisiana, provided that the principal meets all other requirements for a Louisiana certificate, including background checks and criminal history reviews, as may be required by law and board policy.

(4) A principal who holds valid out-of-state certification as a principal, and who applies to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for certification as a principal, shall be granted a five-year nonrenewable provisional certificate to be used while the principal completes the requirements set forth in this Section.

B. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may adopt rules as are necessary for the orderly implementation of this Section and may make further provisions with regard to qualifications and requirements not inconsistent with this Section.

Acts 2023, No. 392, §1, eff. June 14, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2354.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2354.1
Refusal to make anatomical gift; effect
Status: in_force

A. A person may refuse to make an anatomical gift of his body or part by executing any of the following:

(1) A signed record in accordance with Subsection B of this Section or if he is physically unable to sign, another person acting at the direction of the person shall sign.

(2) A will and testament, whether or not the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after his death.

(3) Any form of communication made by the person during a terminal illness or injury addressed to at least two adults, one of whom is a disinterested witness.

B. A signed record, shall be witnessed by at least two adults, one of whom is a disinterested witness, and shall state that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in Subsection A of this Section.

C. A person who has made a refusal to make an anatomical gift, may amend or revoke the refusal in any of the following ways:

(1) In the manner provided in Subsection A of this Section for making a refusal.

(2) By subsequently making an anatomical gift in accordance with R.S. 17:2354 that is inconsistent with the refusal.

(3) By destroying or canceling the record or a portion thereof evidencing the refusal, with the intent of revocation.

D. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 17:2354.2, in the absence of an express contrary indication set forth in the refusal, an unrevoked refusal bars all other persons from making an anatomical gift of the body or part of the person.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 724, §2. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 138, §1; Acts 1992, No. 642, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 2010, No. 937, §2, eff. July 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:240 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 240
Prohibition against use of tobacco and marijuana in schools; prohibition against smoking on school bus; rules and regulations
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "School property" means school grounds, playgrounds, premises, and property, including but not limited to land, improvements, and school facilities, located on the property of any elementary or secondary school, the Louisiana School for the Deaf, the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, and schools in the Special School District. "School property" also means any school vehicle used for the provision of academic and extracurricular programs and administration at any elementary or secondary school, the Louisiana School for the Deaf, the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, and schools in the Special School District.

(2) "Smoking" means possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted tobacco or marijuana product, including but not limited to e-cigs, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, and vape mods.

B.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall smoke, chew, inhale, ingest, absorb, or otherwise consume any tobacco or tobacco product in any elementary or secondary school building nor shall any student or school employee smoke, chew, inhale, or absorb, or otherwise consume any tobacco product on any other school property; however, this prohibition shall not be applicable to any tobacco product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and is marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.

(2)(a) No person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other form of smoking object or device, including but not limited to e-cigs, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, and vape mods on any school property.

(b) No person shall smoke or vape any form of marijuana as defined by R.S. 40:961 or a substance classified in Schedule I that is marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or chemical derivatives thereof on any school property.

(3) The use of tobacco or any tobacco product is hereby prohibited on any school bus or school vehicle transporting students attending any elementary or secondary school.

(4) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any school property that is rented, leased, or otherwise made available for use for non-educational purposes.

C.(1) The governing authority of each public elementary or secondary school shall and any governing authority of any nonpublic elementary or secondary school may adopt necessary rules and regulations to assure compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(2)(a) The governing authority of each public elementary or secondary school and each nonpublic elementary or secondary school may provide for appropriate penalties for violators, including but not limited to disciplinary action or a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars, or both.

(b) Any person who violates Subparagraph (B)(2)(b) of this Section shall be subject to punishment pursuant to R.S. 40:981.3(A)(1).

(3) The provisions of this Section shall be enforced by the local superintendents of education or their designees pursuant to any rules, regulations, and penalties promulgated pursuant to this Section.

D. Nothing in this Section shall apply to a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 17:236.1.

Acts 1992, No. 480, §1, eff. June 20, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 698, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 17, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §8, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 351, §1, eff. June 22, 2017; Acts 2019, No. 411, §1, eff. June 20, 2019; Acts 2024, No. 352, §1, eff. May 28, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:4002.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 4002.5
Public school governing authority duties; accountability; rules
Status: in_force

A. The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school shall establish policies and procedures whereby an eligible funded student enrolls in a course pursuant to this Part, which shall also provide for the following:

(1) Advising the student and his parent or legal custodian as part of the development and annual review of the student's Individual Graduation Plan pursuant to R.S. 17:2925 of whether a requested course is academically appropriate for the student.

(2) Credits earned through the course provider shall appear on each student's official transcript and count fully towards the requirements of any approved Louisiana diploma.

(3) State assessments as required by the school and district accountability system shall be administered to each student.

(4) All services to which each student would be entitled if attending the school in which he is enrolled full time for all courses, including but not limited to special education services pursuant to the student's Individual Education Plan shall be provided.

B. Each local public school system shall make available to all students during the annual course enrollment process for the school system the course catalogue as provided by the department derived from a list of course providers approved by the state board.

C. Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 482, §2, eff. June 5, 2014.

D. The aggregate test scores of students who are enrolled in a course pursuant to this Part and in accordance with Subsection A of this Section shall be counted in the school performance score for the school in which the student is enrolled full time. The test scores shall be reported to and published by the state Department of Education for each course provider in an easy to understand format and on the department's website.

E. Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 482, §2, eff. June 5, 2014.

F. The state board shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Part in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 2012, No. 2, §1; Acts 2014, No. 482, §§1, 2, eff. June 5, 2014; Acts 2024, No. 91, §1, eff. July 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1186 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1186
Leave without pay; preservation of tenure rights
Status: in_force

A. Parish and city school boards throughout the state may grant leaves of absence, without pay, for periods not exceeding one year, to any regularly employed teacher or other employee, who requests such leave in writing, whenever in the discretion of the board such leave is in the best interests of the public school system. The granting of such leaves shall not affect any tenure rights which the applicant may have acquired prior thereto.

B. Parish and city school boards shall grant a leave of absence, without pay, to any regularly employed teacher or other employee who is a president of a statewide professional education organization with a membership of more than ten thousand members, during his or her term of office, not to exceed six consecutive years. The granting of such leave shall not affect any tenure rights which may have been previously acquired.

Added by Acts 1954, No. 647, §1; Acts 1987, No. 163, §1; Acts 2003, No. 746, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:226.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 226.1
Compulsory attendance; exemption for minors engaged in artistic or creative services
Status: in_force

In addition to the exemptions contained in R.S. 17:226, any minor employed to perform or render artistic or creative services under a contract subject to Chapter 32 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Subpart for those days during which the minor is engaged in rendering artistic or creative services pursuant to such contract and for which instruction is required pursuant to R.S. 51:2134.

Acts 2005, No. 147, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:381 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 381
Acceptance of donations by state and parish school boards
Status: in_force

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and any school board, in accordance with the provisions of this Part, may accept and administer any donation that may be made to them for educational or literary purposes, and each board shall enumerate details of the contents of such donations in a document made publicly available on its website.

Acts 2023, No. 346, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:97.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 97.1
Formula for minimum foundation program; certain local funds not to be used
Status: in_force

No proceeds derived from the sale, lease, or other disposition or use of any sixteenth section lands by a parish or city school board, no allocation of severance taxes, if any, to a parish or city school board, or school system and no portion of the proceeds derived from any sales tax levied and collected by a parish or city school board shall be used or taken into consideration in any formula adopted by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and submitted to the legislature for approval as required by Article VIII, Section 13(B) of the Constitution for the allocation of funds to insure a minimum foundation program of education in all public elementary and secondary schools.

Funds derived from the sale, lease, or use of sixteenth section lands heretofore charged against school systems in the minimum foundation program formula shall be replaced by equal amounts from revenues generated by lease or royalties of sixteenth section water bottoms claimed by the State; provided, however, that in the event such replacement revenues are insufficient for such purpose then, and in that event only, revenues generated by lease or royalties from other water bottoms claimed by the state shall be used as needed for the purposes of this Section.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 619, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1518.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1518.2
Huey P. Long Medical Center; administration
Status: in_force

The LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, through its chancellor, shall enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Tulane University Health Sciences Center to include the current residency program in obstetrics offered by Tulane University Health Sciences Center.

Acts 2007, No. 220, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3
Domicile; organization and meetings of board
Status: in_force

A. The board shall be domiciled in the city of Baton Rouge, parish of East Baton Rouge.

B. The members of the board shall elect from among their number a president and a vice president and such other officers as they deem necessary, whose terms shall be as fixed by the board.

C. Six members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all official actions of the board shall require the favorable vote of a majority of the total membership.

D. The board shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep an accurate record of all of its proceedings and official actions. All papers, documents, and records pertaining to the board shall be filed at the domicile of the board.

E. The board shall meet in regular session in January of each year and at such other times as are fixed by the board. Special meetings may be held upon call of the president, and the president shall call a special meeting whenever requested to do so by a majority of the total members of the board.

Acts 1975, No. 274, §1; Acts 1986, No. 485, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:68.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 68.7
Mutual agreements regarding distribution of assets and liabilities between school boards
Status: in_force

A. No later than sixty days after the effective date of this Act, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the St. George Community School Board shall meet jointly to begin the process to determine the fair and equitable division of all assets and liabilities between the two school boards related to the formation of the St. George Community School System. The two school boards shall mutually agree upon an actuary, an appraiser, an auditor, or any other professional advisor deemed necessary by the two school boards to determine the valuation of the assets and liabilities. The date of the valuations shall be the effective date of this Act.

B. The assets that are required to be valuated, pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, shall include all of the following:

(1) All lands, buildings, improvements, facilities, school buses, vehicles, and any other movable or immovable property, whether corporeal or incorporeal, having title or ownership vested in the public and subject to management, administration, and control by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for public education purposes that are located within the geographic boundaries of the St. George Community School System.

(2) Any reserves, trust funds, or other accounts containing funds set aside to pay post employment retirement benefits for employees who retired from schools located within the geographic boundaries of the St. George Community School System prior to the effective date of this Act.

(3) Any reserves, trust funds, or other accounts set aside to pay for maintenance or deferred maintenance on movable or immovable properties located within the geographic boundaries of the St. George Community School System that are described in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(4) Any insurance policies or reinsurance policies associated with the liabilities listed in Subsection C of this Section.

C. The liabilities that are required to be valuated, pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, shall include all of the following:

(1) Necessary maintenance or depreciation that is associated with those movable or immovable assets listed in Subsection B of this Section.

(2) Unfunded accrued liability payments, as provided in R.S. 17:68.4.

(3) Benefits related to costs associated with the reemployment of retirees with respect to post employment benefits, as provided in R.S. 17:68.5.

(4) Post employment benefits that are due to employees who retired from schools located within the geographic boundaries of the St. George Community School System prior to the effective date of this Act. In order to equitably manage the risks associated with and the costs of providing the post employment benefits, the benefit costs shall be calculated on the basis of the benefit plan adopted by the St. George Community School Board for those employees who are employed by the St. George Community School System after the effective date of this Act.

D. If, in order to reach a fair and equitable agreement with respect to the division of assets and apportionment of liabilities as provided in this Section results in the requirement that an equalizing payment be made, that payment may be made as a one-time payment or may be structured over a number of years, as agreed by the parties.

E. If the two school boards are not able to reach a mutual agreement with respect to the distribution of assets and liabilities, then the two school boards may mutually agree upon an additional service provider to assist in amicable resolution.

F. Nothing in this Section shall operate to delay the transfer of property as required in R.S. 17:68.1 or in any way delay the St. George Community School System from beginning its actual operation of providing for the education of students within its jurisdiction on July 1, 2027.

G. For purposes of this Section, the following terms whether used in the singular or plural shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Employees who are retired" or "retiree" means every person who was employed by the school board including administrators, classroom teachers, coaches, librarians, counselors, teachers' aides, clerical employees, lunchroom workers, custodial workers, school bus operators, school bus operators' aides, noninstructional employees, janitors, custodial workers, maintenance workers, bus aides, attendants, or monitors.

(2) "Post employment benefits" means health insurance or life insurance attributable to a retiree who was previously employed on the date of his retirement at a school located within the geographic boundaries of the St. George Community School System prior to the effective date of this Act.

Acts 2025, No. 455, §1, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:226 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 226
Exemptions from compulsory attendance
Status: in_force

A. The following classes of children provided for in this Section shall be exempted from the provisions of this Subpart:

(1)(a) Children mentally, physically, or emotionally incapacitated to perform school duties, and children unable to profit from further school experience, such exemptions to be certified in writing by a psychiatrist, psychologist, recognized evaluation center or clinic, or other professionally qualified person or agency designated by the city, parish, or other local public school board.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, a student may be absent for up to three days in any school year related to the student's mental or behavioral health, and such absences shall be excused if certification is provided in writing in accordance with the student handbook. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up any school work missed during such absences. Following the second day of absence in any school year, the student shall be referred to the appropriate school support personnel for help addressing the underlying issue, which may include referral to medical services outside of the school setting.

(2) Children temporarily excused from school, as follows:

(a) Children who are personally ill and whose attendance in school would endanger their own health or that of their classmates, each city, parish, or other local public school board being hereby authorized to adopt and promulgate or publish such resolutions as may seem wise and proper regarding the requirement of a certificate from a physician or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the state in substantiation of the absence of children under this authorization of temporary absence.

(b) Children in whose families there is serious illness which would reasonably necessitate the absence from school if, in the judgment of the visiting teacher, or supervisor of child welfare and attendance, such absence is justified, or if the illness is substantiated in writing by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the state.

(c) Children in whose immediate family a death has occurred, such absence not to exceed one week because of and at the time of such death.

(d) Children whose religious faith requires absence for the observance of special and recognized holidays of the child's own faith.

(e)(i) A child whose parent is a member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard of a state and such parent has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting shall be granted excused absences, not to exceed five school days per school year, for the day or days missed from school for the child to visit with his parent prior to the parent's deployment or during the parent's leave and, upon returning to school, shall be permitted to complete all class assignments, including all tests, missed while the child was absent pursuant to the provisions of this Item.

(ii) For the purposes of this Subparagraph, the term "parent" shall mean the person responsible by law for the child's school attendance.

B. Children shall not be excused from school to work in any job, including agriculture and domestic service, at any time, even in their own homes or for their own parents or tutors.

Acts 1964, No. 109, §2; Acts 2005, No. 200, §1, eff. July 1, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 142, §1, eff. June 12, 2008; Acts 2023, No. 318, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1178 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1178
Reports on manner of spending leave
Status: in_force

Every person on sabbatical leave shall transmit to the superintendent within thirty days after the beginning of each semester of leave a written report of approximately one hundred words, of the manner in which such leave will be spent, and within thirty days after the end of such leave, a written report of approximately two hundred and fifty words, of the manner in which such leave has been spent. In case such person has elected to spend any semester in accordance with provisions of R.S. 17:1177(1), the initial report shall indicate the institution being attended and the number of credit hours being taken, and the final report shall be accompanied by official evidence that the number of credit hours required has been taken at the institution specified.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3725 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3725
Rules
Status: in_force

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 2022, No. 495, §1, see Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3088.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3088.1
ABLE accounts of deceased designated beneficiary; termination; transfer of monies; prohibited actions
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when a designated beneficiary dies, the program account established on his behalf shall be terminated. Monies remaining in the account, after payment of all of the designated beneficiary's qualified disability expenses defined in this Chapter, may be transferred as specified by the account's owner to either another ABLE program account permitted by Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code or to the estate of the designated beneficiary.

B. If the program account of a deceased designated beneficiary does not specify where monies remaining in the account are to be transferred, the remaining monies shall be deposited in the Disability Services Fund separate account established by R.S. 28:826(B)(2)(d) to be appropriated and used as provided in R.S. 28:826(C)(1)(c).

C. The state shall not file a claim for payment under Subsection (f) of Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code or seek recovery of any amount remaining in the program account of a deceased designated beneficiary for payments made for qualified disability expenses.

Acts 2023, No. 96, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:170.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 170.2
Immunization information; meningococcal disease
Status: in_force

A. Each city, parish, and other local public school board that provides information relative to immunizations shall provide each student's parent or legal guardian with information relative to the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunization against such disease. Such information shall include the causes and symptoms of such disease, the means by which such disease is spread, and the places where a parent or legal guardian may obtain additional information and where a student may be immunized against such disease. Such information shall be updated annually if new information on such disease is available.

B.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health shall develop and provide such information to the state Department of Education. The state Department of Education shall provide such information to each city, parish, and other local public school board that provides information relative to immunizations, which shall provide such information to each student's parent or legal guardian pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.

(2) The Louisiana Department of Health, the state Department of Education, and each such city, parish, and other local public school board shall determine respectively the most cost-effective and efficient means of distributing such information.

C. The Louisiana Department of Health, in consultation with the state Department of Education, shall establish by rules and regulations all guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions of this Section in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any city, parish, or other local public school board, the state Department of Education, or the Louisiana Department of Health to provide or pay for immunizations against meningococcal disease.

Acts 2006, No. 122, §1, eff. June 2, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1811 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1811
Awards for Louisiana livestock
Status: in_force

A-D. Repealed by Acts 1989, No. 662, §8, eff. July 7, 1989.

E.(1) For the purpose of improving the quality of livestock exhibited by Louisiana youths, a premium schedule shall be established by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College which will recognize and differentiate Louisiana-bred livestock and reward exhibitors of such livestock in greater proportion than exhibitors of livestock not bred in Louisiana.

(2) Funding for such premiums shall be appropriated to Louisiana State University Center for Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by the legislature from fees, commissions, and monies collected by the state from race meetings in the amounts provided under R.S. 4:163(L) and from any other sources from which monies may be made available.

(3) Such funds shall be distributed in accordance with the premium schedule at the State Livestock Show held at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in Baton Rouge, at the six district livestock shows held in Alexandria, Covington, Delhi, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Shreveport, at such other locations as may hereafter be designated by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College as sites for district livestock shows, and at the Junior Livestock Show held at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 275, §1, eff. July 18, 1982. Acts 1984, No. 560, §2, eff. July 12, 1984; Acts 1989, No. 662, §8, eff. July 7, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3129.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3129.8
Affordable digital textbook and learning materials pilot programs
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Regents, referred to in this Section as the "board", in collaboration with the public postsecondary education management boards, shall develop and implement pilot programs to provide open and no-cost digital textbooks, study tools, online homework, and open educational resources that can be used to improve student outcomes. The pilot programs for which funds will be awarded shall be selected by the board in accordance with the criteria set forth in this Section.

B. The board shall:

(1) Issue a request for applications from public postsecondary education management boards for proposals for pilot programs.

(2) Prioritize pilot programs that provide the most benefit to socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented students. This may be determined by identifying courses with a high percentage of enrollment of groups of such students and the potential for large-scale adoption of open educational resources in the courses.

(3) Award funds for pilot programs to replace existing commercial textbooks available to students only through purchase with open educational resources as defined in R.S. 17:3129.9. The open educational resources used in pilot programs shall be made available to students at no cost with unlimited access not later than the first day of classes of the first semester in which the program is being implemented. Priority shall be placed on using open educational resources that carry an open license that allow faculty to customize course materials to improve student learning outcomes.

(4) Enter into contracts with management boards administering pilot programs. At a minimum, the contracts shall require the following:

(a) Revised and newly created course materials including ancillary materials and related learning materials.

(b) Instructional materials be made available in the statewide digital platform of open educational resources maintained by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network in order to ensure materials are discoverable and widely available. Materials shall be made available under a license consistent with the availability of open educational resource materials.

C.(1) In submitting proposals pursuant to Subsection B of this Section, management boards interested in participating shall:

(a) Demonstrate the anticipated number of students who would benefit from the program; the courses in which the awarded funds will be used, the textbooks currently being used in the courses, and the proposed use of open educational resources in the courses; and the estimated average amount of savings per student.

(b) Either propose customizing course instruction to currently available open educational resources or developing new course instruction using open educational resources.

(c) Identify the faculty who would customize course instruction to existing open educational resources or develop new course instruction using open educational resources.

(2) In awarding funding, the board shall give priority to proposals that include the following:

(a) Targeted learning modules to provide additional student supports to combat ongoing learning loss.

(b) Resources to help students develop necessary employability skills including but not limited to digital skills, financial literacy, time management, communication, and goal setting.

D.(1) The provisions of this Section shall be implemented beginning with the 2024 fall semester.

(2) The provisions of this Section shall terminate September 2, 2026.

(3) Not later than September 1, 2026, the Board of Regents shall provide a written report to the governor, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairmen of the legislative committees on education and commerce on the program.

Acts 2023, No. 128, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3129.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3129.2
Postsecondary education; outcomes-based funding formula; creation; components; approval; implementation; reports
Status: in_force

A. The legislature finds that:

(1) There is a direct correlation between postsecondary educational attainment, individual earning power and quality of life, and the overall economic health and prosperity of the state.

(2) Alignment of postsecondary program offerings with economic development and workforce needs and increased emphasis on the production of postsecondary degrees and certifications that provide the holder with greater earning potential are necessary and essential to the state's economic well-being and the welfare of the people of Louisiana.

(3) The number of Louisiana residents with postsecondary degrees and certificates must significantly increase in order to meet the state's current and projected workforce demands.

(4) Any measurement of the success of Louisiana's postsecondary educational system must necessarily include indicators that compare the performance of individual institutions to that demonstrated by statistically peer institutions across the country.

(5) The current retention, completion, and graduation rates of most of Louisiana's public colleges and universities are below regional and national averages, and it is both responsible and in the best interest of the state to allocate educational resources in a manner that effectively supports our public postsecondary institutions and promotes and prioritizes outcomes at the campus level.

(6) The state's Master Plan for Postsecondary Education and postsecondary education funding formula must reflect student and state priorities and promote and drive the changes needed to make Louisiana's public postsecondary educational system more productive, more efficient, more affordable, more accountable, and better aligned with the state's economic development and workforce needs.

B. The commissioner of higher education and the president of each public postsecondary education system shall jointly and collaboratively:

(1) Review the postsecondary education funding formula and develop a comprehensive outcomes-based funding formula that ensures the equitable allocation of state funds to public postsecondary educational institutions, appropriately considers costs, places significant emphasis on student and institutional outcomes, and aligns with the state's economic development and workforce needs.

(2) Consult with and solicit meaningful feedback and guidance from institutional presidents, chancellors, faculty, chief academic officers, chief financial officers, students, and business and civic leaders.

(3) Make recommendations for any changes needed in the Master Plan for Postsecondary Education and the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diplomas Act as provided in R.S. 17:3139, et seq., to support and facilitate implementation of the outcomes-based funding formula.

C. In creating the outcomes-based funding formula, the commissioner of higher education and the postsecondary system presidents shall focus upon developing the optimal methodology by which to allocate postsecondary funding in a manner that provides incentives for institutions to achieve desired outcomes. The following factors shall be considered and included in the formula as deemed appropriate:

(1) Student success factors, including retention, timely progression toward degree completion, cost of completion, certificate and degree production, and successful transfer of students from community and technical colleges to four-year degree-granting institutions.

(2) Alignment with economic development and workforce needs, including certificate and degree production in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and other high-demand fields and the potential earning power of graduates.

(3) Research and innovation, including research expenditures, technology transfer, and commercialization.

(4) Funding, including credit hour costs and cost of certificate and degree completion.

(5) Any other factor or metric that would promote desired student and institutional outcomes.

D. The outcomes-based funding formula shall:

(1) Appropriately consider the role, scope, and mission of each postsecondary institution.

(2) Establish a concise set of outcomes to be measured for each postsecondary institution and define metrics for each outcome that are reliable, accurate, nationally recognized, and benchmark the performance of each institution compared to its statistical peers in other states, wherever valid comparable data is available.

(3) Determine the optimal allocation of state appropriated funds to each postsecondary institution based upon operational costs, performance outcomes, and performance-based, targeted incentives. However, the amount to be allocated based upon performance outcomes must be sufficient to incentivize increased performance at the campus level.

(4) Consider the characteristics unique to each individual postsecondary institution, including community and technical colleges and professional schools, such as student enrollment characteristics and geographic location and delivery area.

(5) Include safeguards to prevent sudden, dramatic changes in the funding level of any postsecondary institution.

(6) Contain a timeline for full formula implementation.

E. Implementation of the outcomes-based funding formula shall begin as soon as practicable, but not later than the beginning of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

F.(1) Not later than December 31, 2015, the commissioner of higher education shall submit a written report containing the proposed outcomes-based funding formula and related recommendations for related policy and statutory changes to the Board of Regents for its consideration and approval.

(2) The Board of Regents shall review the report and subsequently submit the report, the proposed outcomes-based funding formula, and the board's comments and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Education, and the House Committee on Appropriations, not later than January 31, 2016.

G. The commissioner of higher education and the postsecondary system presidents shall collectively re-evaluate the postsecondary education funding formula at least once every two years and submit a written report regarding the formula's effectiveness and the performance of each postsecondary institution to the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Education, and the House Committee on Appropriations.

Acts 2014, No. 462, §1, eff. June 4, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3206 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3206
Compensation of board members
Status: in_force

Each member of the board shall be paid a per diem of fifty dollars for each day of actual attendance at meetings of the board or of a committee appointed by the board on which the member serves, or while on business for the board assigned by it, plus travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties. Reimbursement of travel and expenses shall be in conformity with regulations governing such expenses of state officials.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 313, §2, eff. July 17, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3399.22 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3399.22
Homeless and foster student liaisons
Status: in_force

Each public postsecondary education institution shall designate a homeless and foster student liaison within its financial aid office. This liaison shall be responsible for applying the provisions of the federal Higher Education Act pertaining to the independent student status and financial aid eligibility of current and former homeless and foster youth and shall assist these students, both current and prospective, in applying for federal and state financial aid and other assistance for which they may be eligible.

Acts 2016, No. 306, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2273 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2273
Meetings of the board
Status: in_force

There shall be at least one regular meeting of the board each year, to be held at such time and place as the board may determine. Each department of anatomy represented in the board will be entitled to one vote only, in any matter to be voted upon.

Amended by Acts 1968, No. 250, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:407.81 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 407.81
Legislative intent; declaration of policy
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the legislature to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the children of the state who are in out-of-home care on a regular or consistent basis. To that end, it shall be the policy of the state to ensure protection of children in care by encouraging early learning staff to obtain certification through early childhood educational training programs.

Acts 2014, No. 868, §3, eff. Feb. 1, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:163 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 163
Penalties
Status: in_force

Penalties for violation of R.S. 17:161 and 17:162 shall be twenty-five dollars for the first offense, seventy-five dollars for the second offense, and one hundred twenty-five dollars or ninety days for the third offense.

Added by Acts 1950, No. 505, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2355 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2355
Delivery of document of gift; right to examine
Status: in_force

A. A document of gift need not be delivered during the lifetime of the donor to be effective.

B. Upon or after the death of the donor, a person in possession of a document of gift or a refusal to make an anatomical gift shall allow examination and copying of the document of gift or refusal by a person authorized to make or object to the making of an anatomical gift or by a person to which the gift may pass in accordance with this Part.

Acts 1968, No. 651, §1; Acts 2010, No. 937, §2, eff. July 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3805 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3805
Education Excellence Fund; prioritized plan for expenditure; legislative approval; fund amounts and investment earnings credited to ineligible entities
Status: in_force

A. As required by Article VII, Section 10.8(C)(3)(g) of the constitution, prioritized plans for the expenditure of funds from the Education Excellence Fund which are prepared and submitted to the state Department of Education and approved by the department shall be approved by the legislature, as provided by law, prior to funds being distributed to any school or school system. The consideration of such plans for approval shall be as provided in this Section.

B.(1) After approving the expenditure plans submitted by schools and school systems, the department shall submit the plans to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education for approval by November fifteenth of each year. Approval by both committees shall be required.

(2) Upon receipt of those plans the committees shall meet, either separately or jointly, to consider and act on the plans.

(3) Approval shall be by motion which may be offered for all plans considered at any meeting in globo or may, at the discretion of the chairperson conducting the meeting, be acted on separately. Approval by either committee, meeting separately, shall require a favorable vote on the motion by a majority of the members present and voting, a quorum of the committee being present. Approval by the two committees, meeting jointly, shall require a favorable vote on the motion by a majority of the members thereof from each house present and voting, each house voting separately, a quorum of the joint committee being present.

C. The plans shall be presented for consideration by the state Department of Education.

D. The chairperson of either the Senate committee or the House committee may invite other members of their respective houses to attend any meeting at which plans are considered for approval, and, if invited, such members may participate as members in the hearings. However, only members of the standing committees on education will be counted in determining the number of votes necessary for approval and only such members may vote.

E.(1) A plan which has been approved as provided in this Section may be the basis for the expenditure of any funds received in the coming year from the Education Excellence Fund.

(2) Such a plan may be revised and continue to be the basis for expending funds in the coming year upon a showing, satisfactory to the state Department of Education, that the revision is either technical, as provided in this Paragraph, and does not require further approval as provided in this Paragraph or that the planned expenditures are either no longer possible or will not address the goal originally sought to be achieved. Those revisions which are technical and do not require further approval are those that retain the essential aspects of the original plan approved by the legislature which require only technical or minor revisions that do not result in significant variation from the plan as presented to and approved by the legislature. Such revisions may be accepted by the department as corrections which do not require further legislative approval. Those revisions which significantly vary from the original plan, once approved by the department, shall be submitted for the approval of legislative committees as provided for the original approval in this Section.

F. To assure that Education Excellence Fund monies support excellence in educational practice, fund amounts and investment earnings attributable to such amounts credited by the state treasurer for a recipient entity shall revert to the fund whenever the entity no longer meets the conditions required for such entity to be eligible for an allocation from the fund.

Acts 2001, No. 765, §3, eff. June 26, 2001; Acts 2004, No. 384, §1, eff. June 23, 2004; Acts 2020, No. 58, §1, eff. June 5, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2149 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2149
Use of sick leave; non-teaching personnel
Status: in_force

A.(1) Sick leave with pay may be taken by an employee who has sufficient leave to his credit for the following:

(a) Illness or injury which prevents performance of his usual duties.

(b) Medical, dental, or optical consultation or treatment.

(c) Care for an immediate family member who is ill or injured.

(d) Accompanying an immediate family member to a medical, dental, or optical consultation or treatment.

(2) As used in this Subsection, "immediate family member" means a spouse, parent, or child of an employee.

B. The minimum charge for sick leave shall be four hours (½ day) and if more, shall be charged in hour increments to the nearest hour.

C. The employee may use sick leave for maternity purposes when postnatal or prenatal condition of the employee prevents the performance of usual duties provided the employee has sufficient sick leave credit. The limit to the use of sick leave for a postnatal condition is six weeks except if a physician certifies inability to return to work.

D.(1) An appointing authority may advance sick leave with pay in an amount not exceeding twenty-two working days to an unclassified employee who has exhausted all his sick leave.

(2) The value of any advanced sick leave which has not been repaid at the time of the employee separation from the unclassified service shall be deducted from his last paycheck or paid in cash to the appointing authority unless the separation is for the purpose of moving to another state agency, in which case the advanced sick leave shall be forwarded to the agency accepting him as an employee.

(3) Upon separation caused by disability, death, or retirement, all advanced sick leave shall be cancelled.

E. Upon death or retirement of an unclassified employee, sick leave accrued to his credit shall be computed and the value thereof shall be paid to him provided that the sick leave had been accrued under established leave regulations and a daily attendance record has been maintained for the employee by his supervisor, except that such payment shall not exceed the value of twenty-five working days computed on the basis of a five-day week and on a four-week per month basis for personnel employed on a less than twelve-month employment basis and on the basis of a five-day week and fifty-two week year for twelve-month employees. The rate of pay shall be computed utilizing the base rate the employee is receiving at the time of termination.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 339, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 723, §1; Acts 2020, No. 241, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2083 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2083
Mt. Carmel Junior College
Status: in_force

The Mount Carmel Junior College in the city of New Orleans, owned and operated by a corporation known as The Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, shall have the power and is hereby granted authority to graduate students and confer such certificates, literary and academic honors and diplomas as are conferred and granted by any other junior colleges within the state of Louisiana, to such graduates of said institution, or other persons, as may be provided for under such rules and regulations as said corporation may adopt and over the signature of such persons as said corporation may designate.

Added by Acts 1961, No. 74, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3041.21 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3041.21
Tuition payment program for medical students; Tulane University School of Medicine; eligibility; applications; definition
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, hereinafter referred to as "the commission", shall provide for and administer a tuition payment program for students who meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

(1) Are bona fide citizens and residents of the state of Louisiana.

(2) Desire to become doctors of medicine.

(3) Are acceptable for enrollment at the Tulane University School of Medicine.

(4) Agree to practice the profession in a rural or medically disadvantaged area in Louisiana as determined as provided in R.S. 17:3041.10(A)(4) for at least five consecutive years after completion of their medical education and upon becoming licensed, practicing physicians.

B. The purpose of the program shall be to bring about an adequate supply of doctors of medicine who will engage in the general practice of medicine in the rural or medically disadvantaged areas of the state by inducing a sufficient number of the graduates from the Tulane University School of Medicine to remain in or relocate to rural or medically disadvantaged areas of Louisiana to practice their profession, thus affording adequate medical care to the people of Louisiana in the areas where there is a shortage of medical doctors.

C. The commission, in collaboration with the Tulane University School of Medicine, shall accept and review applications for such tuition payment program and shall determine the recipients of the tuition payments; however, the number of recipients shall not exceed five in any one year.

D. For the purposes of the program, "tuition" shall mean full tuition and room and board costs in an amount to be determined by the commission to equal the amounts paid for students participating in the tuition payment program as provided in R.S. 17:3041.10 through 3041.15.

Acts 2004, No. 894, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3101 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3101
Declaration of purpose
Status: in_force

The maintenance and preservation of the normal educational process at the institutions of higher learning of the state of Louisiana and the ability of each individual student to pursue an education are essential to the welfare of the State of Louisiana.

The purpose of this Chapter is to accord such processes and pursuits the fullest protection from interference and disruption.

It is recognized that attendance by a student and employment of faculty, administrators and all other employees at an institution of higher learning are not compulsory as to individuals concerned. Their presence at the institution of higher learning is a privilege, not a right; it is optional and voluntary.

Added by Acts 1969, No. 59, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:409.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 409.3
Mandatory reporting
Status: in_force

A. Any administrator, teacher, counselor, bus operator, or other school employee, whether full-time or part-time, who learns of a threat of violence or threat of terrorism, whether through oral communication, written communication, or electronic communication, shall immediately report the threat to a local law enforcement agency and, if the employee is not the school administrator, to the school administrator.

B.(1) Upon being informed of the threat, the school administrator shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to inform all persons who are targets of the threat and shall take all necessary measures to protect their lives and safety.

(2) The school administrator next shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to notify the appropriate personnel within the school district administration.

(3) The school administrator and the school district administrator then shall determine if risk is imminent for any other persons because of the threat, and if so, notify them and make reasonable efforts to attempt to take measures to protect their lives and safety.

(4) The school administrator and the school district administrator then shall determine whether to notify parents of the students at the school.

C. No person shall have a cause of action against any person for any action taken or statement made in adherence with the requirement for reporting as provided in this Subpart. However, the immunity from liability provided in this Subsection shall not apply to any action or statement if the action or statement was maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or otherwise deceive law enforcement or school officials. Acts 2018, No. 716, §1; Acts 2019, No. 209, §1; Acts 2023, No. 164, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3123.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3123.1
Commissioner of higher education; appointment; qualifications; powers, duties and functions; compensation
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Regents shall appoint a commissioner of higher education to administer and implement board programs and policies and who shall possess such qualifications and have such other powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities as established by the board or as provided by law.

B. The commissioner of higher education shall be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the total membership of the Board of Regents and shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

C. The salary of the commissioner of higher education shall be determined by the Board of Regents.

Acts 2010, No. 648, §1, eff. June 29, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 854, §1, eff. June 23, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3397.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3397.4
Regional research and development parks; purposes
Status: in_force

Regional research and development parks may be developed and operated for any or all of the following purposes:

(1) To promote the use of technology in existing businesses and industries and the development of high technology businesses and industries in the region and the state.

(2) To increase opportunities for employment in the region and the state, by promoting training in technology for the existing labor force, and assisting in the recruitment of labor, particularly former Louisiana residents, for high technology businesses and industries.

(3) To promote research and development in a region of the state and the application of such research and development in the region and throughout the state.

(4) To promote, create, develop, and strengthen cooperation between the public and the private sector with respect to research and development, including the development of business incubators and technology transfer.

(5) To promote and assist institutions of higher education in the field of research and development.

(6) To promote and assist local governments in the region to encourage research and development, to increase opportunities for employment, to advance the use of technology in existing businesses and industries, and to attract high technology businesses and industries to the region.

(7) To attract nationally prominent scientists and researchers to the region, the state, and to institutions of higher education in this state.

(8) To maximize the research capabilities of the region and the state.

(9) To promote the diversification of the economy of the region and the state to include technology and knowledge-based businesses and industries.

Acts 2004, No. 672, §1, eff. July 5, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1522 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1522
Land acquisition; construction
Status: in_force

The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College may acquire the necessary land therefor and shall construct, equip and furnish the buildings necessary therefor.

Added by Acts 1964, No. 74, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2924 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2924
Applied and hybrid courses; local course development
Status: in_force

A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Board of Regents, local school boards, and teacher organizations, shall develop applied and hybrid courses that combine rigorous academic content with relevant career education that creates links between what a student does in school to what they want to do in life. Such courses may result in a credit in both the academic and the career technical course and successfully transfer to technical and community colleges and four-year postsecondary educational institutions where applicable.

B. City, parish, and other local public school boards may develop and implement applied, hybrid, and career and technical courses to meet local needs, subject to board approval. The board shall provide templates, technical assistance, and professional development to assist local school districts with course development and implementation.

Acts 2009, No. 257, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 861, §8.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2049.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2049.3
Salary schedule
Status: in_force

A. Effective July 1, 1991, a salary schedule adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall apply to all unclassified employees in all public vocational-technical institutes.

B. The state Department of Education, at the direction of the board, shall review the records of all employees and determine the proper step and level of each employee on the salary schedule as provided in this Section. Such review shall occur for all employees annually and shall occur in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Part. The department shall also annually review and update employee years of service and the number of qualification points earned and credited to each employee. The review procedure shall include a mechanism for appeal if an employee disagrees with the step and level assigned. Each employee shall be paid by the state based on the number of years of his service and level of qualifications as reflected by the total number of qualification points to his credit.

C. After July 1, 1999, any provision of this Section which has been effective as to any employee subject to the direction of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall remain effective as to any such employee who after such date is subject to the direction of the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges.

Acts 1991, No. 612, §1, eff. July 17, 1991; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 151, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1994.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1994.2
Margaret Surles Branch of Louisiana Technical College - Tallulah Campus
Status: in_force

The Lake Providence branch of Louisiana Technical College - Tallulah Campus shall be renamed and shall be hereafter known as the "Margaret Surles Branch of Louisiana Technical College - Tallulah Campus".

Acts 1992, No. 132, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 103, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3981 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3981
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; powers and duties relative to charter schools
Status: in_force

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall:

(1) Administer loans as provided in Part VI of this Chapter for assisting in meeting the costs required to establish a charter school as well as the costs of operation.

(2) Enter into any proposed charter that complies with this Chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to the authority in this Chapter that the board determines is a valid, complete, financially well-structured, and educationally sound proposal that offers potential for fulfilling the purposes of this Chapter.

(3) Adopt, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, such rules as the board determines is necessary to efficiently, effectively, and fairly undertake its duties.

(4) Review each proposed charter in a timely manner and determine whether each proposed charter complies with the law and rules and whether the proposal is valid, complete, financially well-structured, educationally sound, whether it provides for a master plan for improving behavior and discipline in accordance with R.S. 17:252, whether it provides a plan for collecting data in accordance with R.S. 17:3911, and whether it offers potential for fulfilling the purposes of this Chapter. The board shall engage in an application review process that complies with the latest Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing, as promulgated by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, and shall provide for an independent evaluation of the charter proposal by a third party with educational, organizational, legal, and financial expertise. The board shall send to the charter applicant, either by electronic means or hand delivery, the final evaluation and recommendations, if any, of the third-party evaluator. Such information shall be sent no later than five business days prior to the meeting at which the board will take action on the charter proposal.

(5) Determine the policy and provide direction to the state Department of Education for providing the oversight of the operation of charter schools chartered with the board.

(6) Upon the request of any school system with fewer than five thousand students, provide technical assistance to the system in determining the potential financial impact of any proposed charter school on the operation of the system.

(7) Approve common charter applications developed by the state Department of Education for use by all chartering authorities in the state. The application shall allow a potential chartering group to propose any number of charter schools through a single application.

(8) Actively recruit chartering groups that offer a program of study or propose to offer a program of study that effectively addresses regional workforce needs, such as career and technical education, industry-based certifications, and vocational course work.

Acts 1995, No. 192, §1, eff. June 14, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 477, §1, eff. June 30, 1997; Acts 2006, No. 630, §1; Acts 2009, No. 123, §1, eff. June 26, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 756, §1, eff. June 29, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 2, §1; Acts 2017, No. 207, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2121 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2121
Voter registration; high schools
Status: in_force

A. Each public school governing authority shall provide an opportunity for each high school senior who is at least seventeen years old to register to vote by using a school computer to fill out an electronic voter registration application or by using the state mail voter registration application form.

B. No public school governing authority shall allow the involvement of any political or partisan group or organization in the registration process.

C. Each public school governing authority shall adopt policies for the implementation of this Section and shall review the policies, at minimum, every five years for the purpose of considering any needed revisions or updates.

D. Each public school governing authority may follow guidance provided by the secretary of state in implementing the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2022, No. 624, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:407.25 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 407.25
Applicability; limitation
Status: in_force

This Part shall not apply to early childhood programs that receive public funds solely for food and nutrition assistance.

Acts 2012, No. 3, §1, eff. April 18, 2012.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1998 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1998
Advisory councils
Status: in_force

The board, upon the recommendation of the directors of postsecondary vocational-technical schools, shall appoint an advisory council on career education for each school. The members of all such advisory councils in this state shall serve without pay. Each such council shall be limited to fifteen members and be representative of the state's population by race and gender to ensure diversity and shall be representative equally of employee, employer, and educational and public interests.

Added by Acts 1973, No. 208, §3. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 818, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 151, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3399.16 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3399.16
Safety education; recognition and reporting of potential threats to safety
Status: in_force

A. Not later than the beginning of the fall semester of 2022, the administration of each institution, in consultation with campus or local law enforcement agencies, shall develop and distribute information to students regarding power-based violence, campus safety, and internet and cell phone safety and online content that is a potential threat to school safety.

B. The information shall include the following:

(1) Instruction on how to identify and prevent power-based violence and how to detect potential threats to school safety exhibited online, including on any social media platform.

(2) How to report incidents of power-based violence, crimes on campus, violations of the student code of conduct, and possible threats to campus safety.

(3) Where to find reports regarding campus safety.

C. The information shall be distributed as part of new student orientation and shall be posted on an easily accessible page of each institution's website.

D. The reporting process for possible threats to the campus shall, at a minimum, include:

(1) A standardized form to be used by students, faculty, and other personnel to report potential threats. The form shall request, at a minimum, the following information:

(a) Name of institution, person, or group being threatened.

(b) Name of student, individual, or group threatening violence.

(c) Date and time the threat was made.

(d) Method by which the threat was made, including the social media outlet or website where the threat was posted, a screenshot or recording of the threat, if available, and any printed evidence of the threat.

(2) A process for allowing anonymous reporting and for safeguarding the identity of a person who reports an incident of power-based violence or a safety threat.

E. Each institution shall adopt a policy to implement the provisions of this Section. The policy shall require that for every report of an incident of power-based violence or a safety threat received, the actions taken by the institution and the campus law enforcement agency or security officers be documented. The policy shall also provide for guidelines on referring the reports to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Acts 2018, No. 641, §2; Acts 2021, No. 439, §2, eff. June 21, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 472, §2, eff. June 29, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 689, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2815 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2815
Merger of cooperatives
Status: in_force

Any one or more cooperatives, each of which is hereinafter designated a "merging cooperative," may merge into another cooperative, hereinafter designated the "surviving cooperative," by complying with the following requirements:

(1) The proposition for the merger of the merging cooperatives in the surviving cooperative and proposed articles of merger to give effect thereto shall be first approved by the board of directors of each merging cooperative and by the board of directors of the surviving cooperative. The proposed articles of merger shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this Chapter and shall state:

(a) The name of each merging cooperative, the address of its principal office, and the date of the filing of its articles of incorporation in the office of the secretary of state;

(b) The name of the surviving cooperative and the address of its principal office;

(c) The names and addresses of the persons who shall constitute the first board of directors of the surviving cooperative;

(d) A statement that the merging cooperatives elect to be merged into the surviving cooperative;

(e) The terms and conditions of the merger and mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner and basis of converting the memberships in the merging cooperative or cooperatives into memberships in the surviving cooperative and the issuance of certificates of membership in respect of such converted membership; and

(f) Any provisions not inconsistent with this Chapter deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business and affairs of the surviving cooperative.

(2) The proposition for the merger of the merging cooperatives into the surviving cooperative and the proposed articles of merger approved by the board of directors of the respective cooperatives, parties to the proposed merger, then shall be submitted to a vote of the members of each such cooperative at any annual or special meeting thereof, the notice of which shall set forth full particulars concerning the proposed merger. The proposed merger and the proposed articles of merger shall be deemed to be approved upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each cooperative voting thereon at such meeting.

(3) Upon such approval by the members of the respective cooperatives, parties to the proposed merger, articles of merger in the form approved shall be executed by authentic act on behalf of each such cooperative by its president or vice-president and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The president or vice-president of each cooperative executing such articles of merger shall also make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this Section were duly complied with by such cooperative. Such articles of merger and affidavit shall be submitted to the secretary of state for filing as provided in this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 257, §15.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2157 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2157
Issuance, form and requisites of bonds or obligations
Status: in_force

Said bonds or obligations shall be issued in such form and detail, and shall bear such date and maturity dates, beginning not later than four years from their date, and be of such denomination, and executed in such manner, as may be provided by the resolution or resolutions of the Louisiana State Board of Education authorizing the issuance of the bonds or obligations. Said bonds or obligations shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding six per centum per annum, and shall be payable at such time or times, and in such amount or amounts as may be determined by the Louisiana State Board of Education, provided that all bonds or obligations authorized to be issued under this Act shall mature on or before thirty years from the date thereof, and provided further, that said Board may retain an option to redeem said bonds prior to maturity on such terms and conditions as it may direct. Interest on said bonds or obligations shall be payable semiannually, and said bonds or obligations shall be payable at such place or places and in such medium of payment as shall be determined by the board. Said bonds or obligations may be sold at public or private sale, from time to time, in whole or part, and at such price, or prices, as shall be determined by the Louisiana State Board of Education.

Said bonds or obligations may be issued in coupon or registered form, or may be issued in coupon form with such privileges of registration or conversion as may be determined by the board. The board, by resolution, may provide for the issuance of temporary bonds or interim certificates under such terms and conditions as it shall determine.

In case any of the officers whose signatures or countersignatures appear on said bonds or obligations or coupons shall cease to be such officers before the delivery of such bonds or obligations to the purchaser, such signatures or countersignatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if they had remained in office until the delivery of the bonds or obligations.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:4071 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 4071
Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council; creation; membership; powers, duties, and functions
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council (LaSTEM) is hereby created under the auspices of the Board of Regents to coordinate and oversee the creation, delivery, and promotion of STEM education programs, to increase student interest and achievement in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to ensure the alignment of education, economic development, industry, and workforce needs, and to increase the number of women who graduate from a postsecondary institution with a STEM degree or credential.

B. The council shall consist of twenty-nine members as follows:

(1) The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.

(2) The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, or his designee.

(3) The secretary of Louisiana Works, or his designee.

(4) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.

(5) The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his designee.

(6) The president of the Louisiana State University System, or his designee.

(7) The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.

(8) The president of the University of Louisiana System, or his designee.

(9) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his designee.

(10) The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, or his designee.

(11) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals, or his designee.

(12) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, or his designee.

(13) The president of the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, or his designee.

(14) The president of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics, or his designee.

(15) Two members who are on the faculty of a Louisiana postsecondary education institution and who teach in a STEM discipline, appointed by the commissioner of higher education.

(16) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or his designee.

(17) Three members with demonstrated interest, experience, and expertise in STEM education, appointed by the governor.

(18) Three members representing key industries in the state, appointed by the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.

(19) A member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.

(20) A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House.

(21) The chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, or his designee.

(22) The president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, or his designee.

(23) The president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, or his designee.

(24) The president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, or his designee.

C. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of appointment.

D. Members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses, other than what may be afforded by their appointing authority. Legislative members of the council shall receive the same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as is provided for legislative committee meetings under the rules of the respective house in which they serve.

E. The council shall be chaired by the commissioner of higher education or his designee. The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development or his designee shall serve as the initial vice chairman of the council. Thereafter, the vice chairmanship shall alternate on a triennial basis between the state superintendent of education, or his designee, the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development or his designee, and the secretary of Louisiana Works or his designee. The council may elect such other officers as it deems necessary.

F. The council shall meet monthly and at such other times as called by the chairman. Beginning August 31, 2018, the council shall be required to meet only quarterly. The commissioner of higher education shall convene the first meeting of the council not later than September 15, 2017.

G. A majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and all actions taken by the council shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the members present and voting.

H. As funding allows, the council shall:

(1) Create a comprehensive, statewide STEM plan that contains clear objectives to guide the development of STEM education and STEM career opportunities and aligns elementary, secondary, and postsecondary STEM curricula, programs, initiatives, and activities.

(2) Coordinate all state STEM education-related programs and activities.

(3) Create a new STEM culture and promote activities that raise awareness of STEM education and STEM career opportunities.

(4) Integrate employers and educators by engaging business and industry, employers, professional and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in STEM education and career and talent programs and activities.

(5) Encourage industry and business entities to provide funding, resources, and technical assistance to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools to promote interest in STEM discipline courses and career opportunities.

(6) Connect STEM education resources, initiatives, and programs regionally and throughout the state.

(7) Establish an information clearinghouse, to be housed at the Board of Regents, to identify and provide best practice resources for both the secondary and postsecondary educational systems and to review and acquire STEM education-related instructional materials.

(8) Empower STEM teachers and provide support for high quality professional development for teachers of STEM subjects.

(9) As appropriate, join and participate in a national STEM network and collaborate with other states in STEM education program development.

(10) Establish a competitive grants program to fund robotics competitions to provide students at all appropriate grade levels opportunities to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills by participating in events sponsored by a science and technology development program known as FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics. The program may be funded through the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund and any other available public or private funds.

I. The council may:

(1) Establish such subcommittees and workgroups as the council deems necessary and appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

(2) Solicit funds, contributions, and grants from any allowable source to implement the provisions of this Section and to further STEM education in the state.

(3) Seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside its membership for research, advice, and other needs as required to carry out the council's mission.

J. The council, through the Board of Regents, shall submit a status report regarding all actions taken to implement the provisions of this Section, including metrics that measure the success of implementing council activities and initiatives and any recommendations for legislation or policy changes, to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education by January thirtieth of each year.

Acts 2017, No. 392, §1, eff. June 23, 2017.

NOTE: See Acts 2017, No. 392, §3, that provides that the Act does not supercede the powers of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, or the postsecondary education management boards as prescribed by law.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3771 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3771
Purpose
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of this Chapter to provide a professional growth program to assist classroom teachers in realizing their potential by establishing a teacher mentor program of formative professional assistance to identify and isolate the characteristics of a teacher's performance so that strengths can be built upon and weaknesses remedied.

Acts 1986, No. 713, §1.