reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:121. Orleans Parish; election and terms of members; apportionment; qualifications; compensation; vacancies; prohibited acts

RS 17:121 - Orleans Parish; election and terms of members; apportionment; qualifications; compensation; vacancies; prohibited acts
A.(1) The school board of Orleans Parish shall consist of five members elected at large at congressional elections. Candidates shall qualify and the elections shall be held as provided by the election laws of this state. The members in office on July 1st, 1984, shall serve until their terms expire. Any member elected in the regularly scheduled elections in 1984 shall be elected for a term of four years. Any member elected in the regularly scheduled elections in 1986 shall be elected for a term of two years. Members elected at the congressional elections in 1988 and their successors in office shall be elected for four-year concurrent terms.
(2) Effective with the commencement of the term of office of school board members elected in the congressional elections in 1988 and thereafter, the Orleans Parish School Board shall be composed of at least five and no more than nine members elected either by district or at large or by any combination of district and at large as shall be determined by the Orleans Parish School Board. Candidates shall qualify and the elections shall be held as provided by the election laws of this state.
B. All members elected to the board shall assume the duties of office at the January meeting of the board following their election.
C.(1) Members of the board shall receive the same remuneration and possess the same qualifications as provided by law for members of other parish school boards. A vacancy occurring on the board shall be filled in the manner provided by law for filling of vacancies in the other parish school boards.
(2) Members of the board, whether compensated on a per diem basis or on an expense allowance basis, additionally are authorized to receive for attendance at board committee meetings the same mileage allowance provided by R.S. 17:56(A) for school board members for going to and from the meetings for every meeting of the school board and for travel outside the parish on school board business.
D. Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 284, §1.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961; Amended by Acts 1970, No. 334, §1; Acts 1979, No. 448, §1; Acts 1984, No. 552, §1, eff. July 6, 1984; Acts 1985, No. 854, §1; Acts 1993, No. 649, §1, eff. June 16, 1993; Acts 2005, No. 284, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:122. Application of general laws and regulations of state board of education

RS 17:122 - Application of general laws and regulations of state board of education
All laws, and all rules and regulations of the state board of education governing other parish school boards throughout the state, shall govern the Orleans Parish School Board, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Title.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:123. Superintendent of schools as treasurer of board; bond

RS 17:123 - Superintendent of schools as treasurer of board; bond
The superintendent of public schools of the Parish of Orleans shall be ex-officio the treasurer of the Orleans Parish School Board and shall receive all funds apportioned by the state to the city of New Orleans or received or collected for the support of the free public schools from any and all sources. He shall give bond, with security in the sum of fifty thousand dollars in favor of the board and its successors in office, to be accepted and approved by the board and recorded in the mortgage office of the parish, which bond shall then be filed and kept on record in the office of the board. The filing of the bond and the taking and filing the usual oath of office before any officer authorized to administer the same, shall qualify the treasurer to act. The board shall designate the officers or persons who shall sign checks or warrants drawn against the school funds. All persons so authorized shall furnish a surety bond of not less than fifty thousand dollars, for the faithful performance of their duties.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 212, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:124. Appropriations, authority to make

RS 17:124 - Appropriations, authority to make
The Orleans Parish School Board may make annual appropriations out of any of its funds to the teachers' retirement fund of the public schools of the parish; these appropriations shall not be less than Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) each year. The board may make additional appropriations to be used as a special fund for such teachers who are aged or infirm as are, under the laws in effect on July 26, 1922, receiving less than Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) a month.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961; Acts 2014, No. 811, §8, eff. June 23, 2014.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:125. Normal schools; authority to maintain; salary schedules

RS 17:125 - Normal schools; authority to maintain; salary schedules
The Orleans Parish School Board may maintain one or more normal schools for the professional training of teachers. The course of study pursued in such schools must be approved by the state board of education. All graduates of these normal schools shall be awarded diplomas. The normal schools in existence on July 29, 1942, under the authority of this Section, may award the degree of bachelor of arts and bachelor of science to graduates who complete four-year courses approved by the state board of education. Wherever the Orleans Parish School Board fixes salary schedules to distinguish between teachers employed on July 29, 1942, who have certificates based on degrees from recognized colleges or universities and certificates issued by the state board on the basis of a two years normal course, or on other qualifications accepted by the state board of education, and in which cases the teachers are on the same level of experience, the Orleans Parish School Board shall in no instance pay to the teacher holding the certificate based on the two years normal course, or on other qualifications accepted by the state board of education, a salary which shall be less than that paid to the holder of the certificate based on a college degree by an amount exceeding Fifteen Dollars per month, or One Hundred Fifty Dollars per annum.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:126. Courses of study and text books; authority to adopt

RS 17:126 - Courses of study and text books; authority to adopt
The Orleans Parish School Board has authority to prepare courses of study for use in public schools of Orleans Parish, subject to the approval of the state board of education, and to adopt text books for use in the public schools of Orleans Parish, subject to the approval of the state board of education.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:127. Revenues of parish school board; duty to secure

RS 17:127 - Revenues of parish school board; duty to secure
The Orleans Parish School Board or its successor in law, shall secure its revenues as provided in the Constitution of the state.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:128. Contracts; bids

RS 17:128 - Contracts; bids
When required so to do by existing state law, all contracts for public works or for materials and supplies ordered by the Orleans Parish School Board shall be advertised by the board in accordance therewith. The board shall have the right to appoint, by proper resolution, a committee consisting of three or more of its employees to publicly open all bids at the time and place specified in the advertisement, outside of the presence of the board. The committee shall then tabulate all bids so received, and furnish the board with said written tabulation. The board shall then let the contract, or reject all bids, within the time specified in the advertisement.
Acts 1960, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, emerg. eff. Jan. 12, 1961.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:151. Public schools; establishment by parish boards; pupil-classroom-teacher ratios

RS 17:151 - Public schools; establishment by parish boards; pupil-classroom-teacher ratios
A. Parish and city school boards may establish such public schools as they may deem necessary to provide adequate school facilities for the children of the parish, and also trade schools, evening schools, schools for adults, schools and classes for exceptional children, and such other schools or classes as may be necessary to meet all special or exceptional requirements. Central or high schools may be established when necessary, but no high school shall be established without the sanction of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Practical, industrial, and agricultural courses shall be fostered by the public school officials, and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may extend special financial aid to schools meeting required standards in such courses, with such funds as may be available for such purposes.
B.(1) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, no parish or city school board shall have a systemwide pupil-classroom-teacher ratio in kindergarten through grade three in excess of twenty pupils to one classroom teacher.
(2) Effective with the 2012-2013 school year and thereafter, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Subsection to ensure compliance by city, parish, and other local public school boards. Such rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to provisions that allow a local public school board to request a limited waiver from the state superintendent of education from complying with the provisions of this Subsection relative to student-teacher ratios, provided that the teacher has demonstrated effectiveness as defined by the state board, pursuant to R.S. 17:3881 through 3905.
(3) Not later than September first of each year, the Department of Education shall submit a written report to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education detailing all waiver requests submitted by city, parish, and other local public school boards for the prior school year and the disposition of each request.
Acts 1989, No. 465, §1, eff. June 30, 1989; Acts 2012, No. 659, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:151.1. Additional grades in secondary schools; establishment by local boards; approval of degrees, diplomas, and certificates

RS 17:151.1 - Additional grades in secondary schools; establishment by local boards; approval of degrees, diplomas, and certificates
Any city or parish school board may, with the approval of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and with the approval of the Board of Regents or its successor, extend the curriculum of any high school established within its jurisdiction to include a thirteenth or fourteenth grade, or both, when, by a decision of the local school board, such extension is necessary or desirable for the benefit of school children within its jurisdiction. In such instances, these city and parish school boards shall designate appropriate courses of study to be offered in the additional school grades so established and shall provide the facilities necessary for the effective operation of such an extended school program. The awarding of any degree, diploma, or certificate for successful completion of a course of study offered in the additional school grades shall be subject to approval, disapproval, or modification by the Board of Regents or its successor.
Acts 1990, No. 619, §1, eff. July 19, 1990.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:151.2. Consolidated multiparish vocational-technical school districts; St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James Parish

RS 17:151.2 - Consolidated multiparish vocational-technical school districts; St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James Parish
A. The parish school boards of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James Parishes may establish a consolidated multiparish vocational-technical school district, to be administered jointly by the school boards of those parishes forming such consolidated district, and may establish and maintain such vocational-technical schools in said district as they may determine.
B. The school boards of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James Parishes may provide funds for the establishment, operation and maintenance of said vocational-technical school and may further receive contributions from industries or other sources for the establishment, operation and maintenance of said vocational-technical school.
Added by Acts 1972, No. 586, §§1, 3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:153. Agreements for combination of public and parochial schools prohibited

RS 17:153 - Agreements for combination of public and parochial schools prohibited
The school boards of the several parishes of this state are prohibited from entering into any contract, agreement, understanding or combination, tacitly or expressly, directly or indirectly, with any church, monastic or other order or association of any religious sect or denomination whatsoever, with the representatives thereof or with any person or corporation conducting a school which solicits patronage from those of any particular religious faith, affiliation or persuasion, for the purpose of running any public school or schools of this state together, in connection, or in combination with any private or parochial school, or other institution of learning which may be under the control or management of any church, monastic or other religious order or association of any religious sect or denomination whatsoever, or under the control of any person or corporation conducting a school which solicits patronage especially from those of any particular religious faith, affiliation or persuasion.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:154. Curriculum; length of school periods

RS 17:154 - Curriculum; length of school periods
A.(1) The branches of spelling, reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, United States history, and health, including alcohol, tobacco, drug, and substance abuse prevention and education, shall be taught in every elementary school. In addition to these, such other branches shall be taught as the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or the provisions of the state constitution, may require.
(2) Every secondary school shall provide instruction in alcohol, tobacco, drug, and substance abuse prevention and education.
(3) Any instruction relative to alcohol, tobacco, drug, and substance abuse prevention and education provided pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection shall include the information that mixing opioids and alcohol can cause accidental death and information on the health risks associated with vapor products as defined in R.S. 26:901.
B. Except as provided in R.S. 17:154.1(A), the minimum daily session, exclusive of all recesses, of every public school shall be three hundred sixty minutes; however, this shall not be construed so as to prevent half-day sessions where the school accommodations are insufficient for all the pupils of the district in a whole-day session. Nor shall it interfere with any arrangement made for the conduct of kindergarten schools; however, in the parish of Orleans the school board may fix the hours of the daily session of the public schools, provided that the minimum number of instructional minutes as required by R.S. 17:154.1(A) is met.
Acts 1991, No. 380, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 160, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2018, No. 694, §1; Acts 2021, No. 230, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:154.2. Enrollment of students with special needs

RS 17:154.2 - Enrollment of students with special needs
A. No public school or public school governing authority shall require the parent or legal guardian of any student to disclose the student's medical information or special education needs prior to enrolling the student in a public school, unless otherwise specifically required by law.
B. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a public school from providing an enrollment preference to a student with special needs when the student's parent or legal guardian has voluntarily provided the school with information regarding such needs.
Acts 2016, No. 303, §1, eff. June 2, 2016.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:154.3. School schedules; minimum work days; instructional days

RS 17:154.3 - School schedules; minimum work days; instructional days
A. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this Section, all teachers shall work not less than one hundred eighty-two days per school year and except as provided in R.S. 17:154.1(A), no fewer than one hundred seventy-seven of such days shall be used to provide instruction to students.
B. Effective for the 2005-2006 school year, the provisions of Subsection A of this Section relative to the requirement that teachers work not less then one hundred eighty-two days per school year shall not be applicable. However, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may adopt rules effective for the 2005-2006 school year relative to the minimum number of teacher work days.
Acts 1997, No. 306, §1, eff. June 17, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 160, §2, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 815, §1; Acts 2001, No. 905, §1, eff. June 26, 2001; Acts 2005, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 25, §1, eff. Nov. 29, 2005.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:154.4. School schedules; additional instructional days; employee work stoppages

RS 17:154.4 - School schedules; additional instructional days; employee work stoppages
At any time the governing authority of any city, parish, or other local public school system closes school for a day as the result of employees of such a school system threatening or failing to appear for work, the governing authority shall schedule and require the conduct of an instructional day of school for each day school was closed in addition to those scheduled for the school year in which such closure occurs.
Acts 2001, No. 485, §1, eff. June 21, 2001.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:155. Attendance of pupils in schools of adjoining parishes or cities; per capita cost of instruction

RS 17:155 - Attendance of pupils in schools of adjoining parishes or cities; per capita cost of instruction
Children for whom adequate schools of suitable grade have not been provided in their home parish may attend schools in an adjoining parish. In such cases, permits shall be secured from the parish superintendent of the children's home parish, and after they have been approved by the parish superintendent of the parish in which the schools that the children desire to attend are located, they shall be presented to the principals of the schools which the children wish to attend, who shall be required to admit the children and provide for their instruction the same as if they were residents of the parish. The superintendent of the children's home parish shall settle monthly for the instruction of such children as shall take advantage of the provisions of this Section, the settlement for each child to be on the basis of the per capita cost of instruction in the school attended by that child.
In estimating the per capita cost of instruction, the parish operating the school must not include items of general control, items arising out of operation of transfers or other auxiliary agencies, items of fixed charges, capital outlay, or debt service; but may include salaries of teachers, teaching supplies, salaries of janitors, janitors supplies, repairs and renewals.
Children living beyond the limits of a city which supports and operates public schools separate and apart from the system of schools under the jurisdiction of the parish school board, and having the right under the Constitution to charge for the instruction of children not residents of the city, may attend the schools of such city, provided the parish school board does not operate adequate schools of suitable grade for the benefit of such children. Pupils desiring to take advantage of the provisions of this Section shall secure permits from the parish superintendent of their home parish, which permits shall be approved by the city superintendent of the city schools which the children desire to attend, who shall designate on the permits the schools which the children are to attend. The parish superintendent shall settle monthly for the instruction of such of the parish children as shall attend the city schools under the provisions of this Section, the settlement for each child to be on the basis of the per capita cost of instruction in the school attended by that child.
In estimating the per capita cost of instruction, the city operating the school must not include items of general control, items arising out of operation of transfers or other auxiliary agencies, items of fixed charges, capital outlay, or debt service; but may include salaries of teachers, teaching supplies, salaries of janitors, janitors supplies, repairs and renewals.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:157. Ferries, roads, and toll bridges; free passage to students

RS 17:157 - Ferries, roads, and toll bridges; free passage to students
A. The free right of passage over all public ferries which are leased out or controlled by the state, parish, or municipality, excluding the Greater New Orleans Expressway, for which license is paid or toll exacted, shall provide for free passage of all students in their passage to and from school between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and between 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., provided that rules are adopted in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C of this Section.
B. The free right of passage over all bridges and roads which are leased out or controlled by the state, parish, or municipality, excluding the Greater New Orleans Expressway, for which license is paid or toll exacted, shall provide for free passage of all students on a school bus, as defined in R.S. 32:1, in their passage to and from school between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and between 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., provided that rules are adopted in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C of this Section.
C. The Department of Transportation and Development may, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, adopt rules and regulations for the efficient implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Section.
Acts 1992, No. 904, §1; Acts 1993, No. 345, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1300, §1; Acts 2003, No. 110, §2; Acts 2023, No. 114, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.1. Purchase of school buses; athletic departments of high schools

RS 17:158.1 - Purchase of school buses; athletic departments of high schools
Each parish and city school board may purchase at least one school bus for the athletic department of each high school located within its jurisdictional boundaries.
Added by Acts 1968, No. 553, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.2. Purchase of school buses; resale to bus operators

RS 17:158.2 - Purchase of school buses; resale to bus operators
A. The purpose of this Section shall be to assist city and parish school boards in providing school bus transportation by facilitating the acquisition of new and used school buses by school bus operators. The legislature hereby declares that the purchase of school buses by school boards and the resale thereof to school bus operators in order to facilitate such acquisition is a public purpose.
B. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, especially R.S. 49:125 and R.S. 42:1113, each city and parish school board is hereby authorized to purchase school buses and to resell such buses to any school bus operator employed by the board or with whom the board has contracted to provide transportation services for students. Any such school bus shall be used by the operator to transport students on the operator's assigned bus route.
C. Any school bus resold pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be sold only after the city or parish school board has complied with the following procedure:
(1) The school board shall obtain two written appraisals of the fair market value of the bus subject to the sale.
(2) Publication of notice of intent of the school board to sell the bus at private sale shall have been made in the official journal of the board at least fifteen days prior to the date of sale.
(3) No sale shall be for less than the average value contained in the appraisals obtained pursuant to R.S. 17:158.2(C)(1).
D. Any school bus used to transport students, including an activity or backup bus, shall not be more than twenty-five years old. Any school bus used as an activity or backup bus, at the time it is acquired by the owner and placed in service, shall be fifteen or fewer model years old. The number of years shall be reckoned from the date of introduction of the model year.
E. Any school bus used as an activity or backup bus that is older than fifteen model years shall not be used more than sixty consecutive school days in a school year.
Added by Acts 1982, No. 67, §1, eff. July 11, 1982. Acts 1984, No. 154, §1; Acts 2014, No. 257, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.3. Purchase of school buses; pooling of purchases by school boards

RS 17:158.3 - Purchase of school buses; pooling of purchases by school boards
A. The Department of Education shall assist city and parish school boards and any nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to R.S. 17:11 in the economical acquisition of school buses and related equipment and supplies by providing a plan under which school boards and any nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Elementary Education may voluntarily pool their bids for such purchases. The department shall prepare bid forms and specifications, obtain quotations of prices, and make such forms and information available to school boards and any participating nonpublic school in order to facilitate this service.
B. School boards and any participating nonpublic school, at times prescribed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall furnish the department with information concerning the prices paid for such items and the department shall periodically furnish information to school boards and any participating nonpublic school concerning the lowest prices at which school buses and related equipment and supplies are available based upon comparable specifications.
Acts 1984, No. 207, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.4. Purchase of school buses; ninety passenger capacity

RS 17:158.4 - Purchase of school buses; ninety passenger capacity
Any parish or city school board may purchase a school bus having a ninety passenger capacity to transport public school students to and from school and for school related activities. The bus shall meet the specifications established under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Acts 1986, No. 140, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.6. School Bus Purchase Program; creation; purpose; administration

RS 17:158.6 - School Bus Purchase Program; creation; purpose; administration
A. It is the purpose of this Section to assist city and parish school systems, approved nonpublic schools, and contract school bus operators in purchasing new school buses by making low-interest loans available and thereby protecting the safety and welfare of the school children of this state by assuring they are riding in safe vehicles. This purpose is hereby declared to be a public purpose.
B.(1) There is hereby established in the Department of Education the School Bus Purchase Program solely for the purpose of making loans to city and parish school boards, approved nonpublic schools, and contract school bus operators for the purchase of new school buses.
(2) The program shall be established and funded with revenues generated by the issuance of not to exceed ten million dollars of special obligation revenue bonds by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority.
C. The program of providing the loans shall be implemented and administered by the Department of Education in the manner determined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in coordination with the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority operating in accordance with R.S. 9:2341 through 2347. The authority shall disburse the funds as directed by the appropriate state department official.
D. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt the rules and regulations necessary to establish the program. Such rules and regulations shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Criteria for eligibility to receive such loans.
(2) Interest rates to be charged on such loans, which shall be at the lowest rate available sufficient to service this debt.
(3) Limits on the amount of individual loans.
(4) Terms for the repayment of such loans, including periodic installments and deadlines for final repayment of such loans.
E. The state superintendent of education shall annually submit a report to the legislature relative to such loan program, including but not limited to the following:
(1) The number of loans made in the preceding year and the average amount loaned to a borrower.
(2) The collection rate of the loans.
(3) The effectiveness of the loan program.
(4) The status of the fund used for such loans at the time such report is submitted and the viability of the fund at that time.
Acts 1987, No. 316, §1; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:158.7. Lease of school buses from school bus operators

RS 17:158.7 - Lease of school buses from school bus operators
A. The purpose of this Section is to assist city, parish, and other local public school boards in providing school transportation by facilitating the lease of school buses by such school boards. The legislature does hereby find and declare that the lease of school buses by city, parish, and other local public school boards from school bus operators pursuant to this Section is a public purpose.
B. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, each city, parish, and other local public school board may lease a school bus owned by any school bus operator employed by such school board or with whom such school board has contracted to provide transportation services for students from such school bus operator. Any such school bus shall be used by the operator to transport students on the operator's assigned bus route. Any such lease shall be in writing.
C. Any school bus leased pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be leased for an amount equal to the compensation mandated by R.S. 17:497.
D. Any operator who leases a bus as provided in this Section shall not receive the compensation provided by R.S. 17:497.
Acts 2001, No. 946, §1, eff. June 26, 2001.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:159.1. Insurance on privately owned school busses; withholding amounts to pay premiums; governmental immunity no defense

RS 17:159.1 - Insurance on privately owned school busses; withholding amounts to pay premiums; governmental immunity no defense
A. All parish and city school boards, contracting for the use of privately owned school busses for the transportation of pupils, are hereby authorized to procure contracts on a fleet or group basis for the owners of such vehicles insuring such vehicles and the owners thereof with respect to all types of vehicular insurance as defined in R.S. 22:47.
B. The amounts required or to be required during each year to make premium payments during such year, may be withheld from compensation due the owners of such insured vehicles, in equal monthly installments.
C. All contracts of public liability and property damage insurance obtained as provided herein shall contain a clause whereby the insurance companies issuing said insurance shall not assert as a defense to any suit against them, the governmental immunity of such school board.
Added by Acts 1958, No. 339, §§1 to 3; Acts 2008, No. 415, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:159.2. Insurance premiums as obligation of boards; privately owned buses

RS 17:159.2 - Insurance premiums as obligation of boards; privately owned buses
A. All premiums for all insurance policies of public liability and property damage insurance applying to and covering school buses owned by parish and city school boards shall be the obligation of, and payable by, the board owning such buses.
B. The above and foregoing provision shall not be construed as preventing parish and city school boards from paying the premiums for public liability and property damage insurance covering and applying to privately owned buses used for transportation of school children for and on behalf of such boards.
Added by Acts 1964, No. 285, §§1, 2.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:160. School bus operators under eighteen years of age prohibited; penalty

RS 17:160 - School bus operators under eighteen years of age prohibited; penalty
A. No person who is under eighteen years of age shall drive a school bus having therein children en route to or from school or a school function.
B. No person shall employ, hire, or allow any person under eighteen years of age to drive a school bus carrying children en route to or from school or a school function.
C. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Amended by Acts 1958, No. 397, §§1 to 3; Acts 1972, No. 701, §1; Acts 1989, No. 419, §1, eff. June 30, 1989; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:161.1. School buses in Orleans Parish; lettering requirements

RS 17:161.1 - School buses in Orleans Parish; lettering requirements
Each school bus used to transport students to public schools in Orleans Parish shall contain lettering identifying the name of the school or schools for which it transports students. The lettering shall be black and in block form. The lettering shall be placed on both sides of the bus as high as possible to provide maximum visibility.
Acts 2017, No. 230, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:162. School busses purchased for private use

RS 17:162 - School busses purchased for private use
Every school bus sold or transferred to any use other than school activities in this state shall be painted by the new owner a color other than national school bus chrome yellow, all lettering of school bus identification, and all semaphore arms and alternate flashing signal lights shall be removed therefrom.
Added by Acts 1950, No. 505, §2. Amended by Act 1966, No. 109, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:163. Penalties

RS 17:163 - Penalties
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:164. Regulations relating to construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses

RS 17:164 - Regulations relating to construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, hereafter referred to in this Section as the "state board", shall establish and adopt regulations for the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses used in transportation of students to and from school. Such regulations shall be provided to encourage competition and in no event shall be devised, worded, or construed so as to restrict competition among manufacturers of school bus bodies, chassis, or other equipment or to benefit or favor in any way a particular manufacturer or group of manufacturers of such bus bodies, chassis, or other equipment, including by reference to detail of design specific to a particular manufacturer or group of manufacturers. A school bus body, chassis, or equipment shall meet the latest revised minimum standards for school buses adopted and recommended by the National Congress on School Transportation, sponsored by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, the National Association for Pupil Transportation, the National School Transportation Association, the School Transportation section of the National Safety Council, and the School Bus Manufacturers Technical Council, the regulations adopted pursuant to this Section, and all statutory requirements for the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses. This Section shall not apply to feeder buses in operation in this state.
Added by Acts 1952, No. 399, §1. Amended by Acts 1956, No. 168, §1; Acts 2019, No. 377, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:164.1. Additional regulations; crossing control device required; compliance

RS 17:164.1 - Additional regulations; crossing control device required; compliance
A.(1) In addition to any regulations adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 17:164 relative to the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses used in the transportation of students, the board also shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act requiring that every bus used in the transportation of students to and from home or school bus stops and acquired after January 1, 1996, shall be equipped with a crossing control device actuated by the operator and operated in conjunction with the stop arm. The crossing control device shall pivot out from the right side of the front bumper to prevent persons from walking directly in front of the bus.
(2) In addition to the rules and regulations required pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the board shall adopt rules and regulations as specified in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection by not later than January 1, 2008. The provisions of this Paragraph shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose.
B. Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 17:164 to the contrary, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall require each governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this Section.
Acts 1995, No. 437, §1; Acts 2007, No. 284, §1; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1; Acts 2022, No. 640, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:164.2. Additional regulations; occupant restraint systems required; compliance

RS 17:164.2 - Additional regulations; occupant restraint systems required; compliance
A. In addition to any regulations adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 17:164 relative to the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses used in the transportation of students, the board also shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and any applicable federal standards to require that every bus used primarily for the transportation of students shall be equipped with occupant restraint systems by not later than June 30, 2004.
B. Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 17:164 to the contrary, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall require each governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school and each nonpublic elementary and secondary school approved by the board to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this Section.
C. The provisions of this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose.
Acts 1999, No. 998, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:165. Penalty for violation of regulations

RS 17:165 - Penalty for violation of regulations
The Louisiana state board of education may issue orders prohibiting the operation of any school bus which does not comply with the rules and regulations adopted hereunder and such orders shall be enforced by the Louisiana state department of public safety.
Added by Acts 1952, No. 399, §2.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:166. Promulgation of rules and regulations

RS 17:166 - Promulgation of rules and regulations
The rules and regulations adopted by the Louisiana state board of education governing school buses transporting students to and from school as provided in R.S. 17:164 shall be promulgated by official resolution of the board establishing an effective date not sooner than thirty days nor more than one hundred twenty days for notice of such regulations to be placed in the hands of and brought to the attention of all parish and city school boards operating transportation systems by the state superintendent of public education issuing such rules and regulations, after adoption and approval of such regulations by the state board.
Added by Acts 1952, No. 399, §3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:167. Certification of child's age upon entering a parish or city school system or private school for the first time; proof of age to qualify for athletic event participation

RS 17:167 - Certification of child's age upon entering a parish or city school system or private school for the first time; proof of age to qualify for athletic event participation
A. All children upon entering a parish or city school system or private school in the state of Louisiana for the first time shall be required to present a copy of their official birth record to the school principal. A short-form birth certification card shall be acceptable as a copy of an official birth record. Only records from the local or state registrar of vital statistics will be accepted for children born in Louisiana. Birth verification forms issued by the local registrar of the parish of birth shall be valid and acceptable for entry into parish or city school systems or private schools and for qualifying for all types of athletic participation where proof of age is required, provided that parish and city school boards may require the submission of additional evidence as to age or race, where such is not conclusively established by the birth certificate.
B. Children born out of the state of Louisiana will be required to secure a copy of their official birth record from the authorized person or agencies registering vital statistics in their state of birth.
C. Children born in foreign countries will be allowed to submit birth facts as shown on their passport or citizenship papers in lieu of a birth record if none is available from the country of birth.
D. Children born in Louisiana will be given a fifteen day grace period to secure a copy of their birth record.
E. Children born out of this state will be given thirty days grace in which to produce a copy of their birth record.
F. It shall be left to the discretion of the parish school board superintendent as to whether or not a child shall continue in school upon failure to comply.
Added by Acts 1954, No. 573, §1. Amended by Acts 1956, No. 170, §1; Acts 1960, No. 541, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 118, §2, eff. April 19, 2000.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:168. Cities or parishes with 300,000 or more population; extra duties of school bus operators

RS 17:168 - Cities or parishes with 300,000 or more population; extra duties of school bus operators
No city or parish school board in cities or parishes with a population of 300,000 or more shall require any person employed as a school bus operator to perform the duties of any other job unless the operator consents thereto and the board agrees to pay such operator additional compensation for performing any duties not within the scope of his employment as a school bus operator.
Added by Acts 1958, No. 475, §1; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:170.2. Immunization information; meningococcal disease

RS 17:170.2 - Immunization information; meningococcal disease
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.