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LouisianaSB 1122026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

SCHOOLS: Provides that public school boards may adopt a policy to authorize released time for K-12 public school students, subject to parental approval. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG RV)

Sponsored By: Valarie Hodges (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Student course credit and safety checks

Louisiana's education department must provide a course-credit code, but schools choose whether to award credit for completed released-time courses. For credit, instructors must meet the school system's substitute-teacher qualifications. Instructors or sponsors must report grades, attendance, and other required information in the school board's required format. All course sponsors must keep attendance records and make them available to the school or board. Instructors and others with direct student contact or supervision duties must undergo criminal background checks; participating students are exempt. Virtual released-time instruction is also allowed under the state's virtual instruction law.

Equal school access for religious courses

Released-time religious courses generally take place off campus. On-campus courses are allowed only under a neutral policy opening school property to community groups. When comparable groups have access, schools cannot discriminate against a course sponsor, student, or parent seeking access. Equal access also covers funds, benefits, and services made available to community groups or independent secular groups.

Religious classes for kids during school

Louisiana public school boards can adopt policies letting students attend religious classes during school hours. A tax-exempt religious group must sponsor the course, which must total 1 to 5 hours per school week. Parents must give written consent for minors; students age 18 or emancipated minors give their own written consent. A student reported as attending who is at neither the course nor school gets an unexcused absence. Charter schools follow this framework unless their approved charter specifically says otherwise.

Travel safeguards but limited school liability

Parents must give specific advance written permission for transportation unless they drive their own child. Sponsors transporting students must show the school board proof of auto liability insurance meeting its minimum for school buses. Sponsors assume liability while students are under their control. Transportation liability rests with the applicable parent, designated driver, sponsor, or adult student. School boards, schools, and their officers and employees are immune from liability for off-campus course injuries and transportation injuries. The school board's consent form must explain these liability rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Valarie Hodges

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Blake Miguez

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 9

House vote • 5/19/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 9. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 83 • No: 9

House vote • 5/12/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 461.

    5/29/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 5/29/2026.

    5/29/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/25/2026House

  4. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  6. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 9. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2026House

  7. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/19/2026Senate

  8. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/18/2026House

  9. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  10. Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/13/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026House

  12. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.

    5/7/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    5/6/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/5/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/27/2026Senate

  16. Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.

    4/22/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Education.

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.

    2/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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