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Senate Education Committee reports a package of education bills to the floor
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Summary
The committee reported multiple education bills favorably, including measures on campus safety (SB 347/346), LSU property transactions (SB 518), release‑time religious instruction (SB 112), foundational education commission (HB 271), monuments/displays (SB 307), nonenrollment procedures (SB 507) and recreation of the Department of Education (HB 50). HB 283 was deferred for redrafting.
At its April 22 meeting the Louisiana Senate Education Committee considered a slate of bills and took action by unanimous consent on most items. Highlights:
- SB 347 (Campus Accountability and Safety Act) — Substantive and technical amendments adopted to narrow definitions of power‑based violence, require institutions to educate students on reporting and Title IX multiple times per year; reported favorably as amended.
- SB 346 (K–12 deepfake protections) — Technical amendment adopted; bill reported favorably to address misuse of student likenesses in digital media.
- SB 518 (LSU property transfers) — Sponsor added a two‑year sunset and a radius limitation for acquisitions to allow a pilot approach for quicker, targeted transactions; amendment adopted and bill reported favorably.
- SB 112 (release‑time religious instruction) — Committee adopted technical amendments, discussed insurance and background‑check provisions, and reported the bill favorably; LifeWise Academy and Jefferson Parish School Board testified in support.
- HB 271 (Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education) — Created to consolidate foundational learning oversight and replace the Literacy Advisory Commission; reported favorably with a commitment to consider childcare center inclusion.
- SB 307 (historical/religious displays) — Technical amendments adopted; attorney general’s office provided legal context; bill reported favorably as amended.
- SB 507 (student nonenrollment) — Amendment to apply procedures to charter schools adopted; bill reported favorably to standardize how districts document nonenrollment.
- HB 50 (recreate Department of Education) — Department chief of staff supported the administrative re‑creation; bill reported favorably.
One bill was set aside: HB 283 (assault/battery provisions, sick‑leave rules) was deferred to give the author time to revise charter‑school sick‑leave language. The committee adjourned by unanimous consent.
