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LouisianaSB 4412026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

STUDENTS: Provides relative to programs for prekindergarten-aged children. (gov sig) (EN -$6,530 GF RV See Note)

Sponsored By: Beth Mizell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Separate restrooms for younger school children

Facilities built after January 1, 2026, must provide separate restrooms for preschool or early learning center children. This applies when the facility also serves children in kindergarten or higher grades. Staff must ensure younger children are not unsupervised in a restroom at the same time as older children.

Stronger safety oversight for preschool children

For programs subject to monitoring, Louisiana's education department must make an annual unannounced visit and respond promptly to violation reports. It must post each violation, the rule broken, and corrective steps on the school's department webpage. Violations posing no immediate threat can receive written warnings and correction plans. For serious or repeated violations, public school boards must consider closure or other protective steps at an open meeting. The department must recommend denying a nonpublic school's next-year approval unless the school gives strong assurance of compliance. The state education board can also revoke nonpublic preschool approval at any time when children's health, safety, or welfare is endangered.

Less state monitoring for some preschools

Some approved nonpublic schools are exempt from the specified state monitoring requirements. Accredited schools must stay in good standing with a state-recognized accreditor whose safety standards meet or exceed state standards. They must submit a yearly written statement of compliance with supporting records. Nonaccredited approved schools can qualify through recognized organizations, equivalent safety standards, and yearly compliance statements, or department recommendation after annual review. For 2026–2027, the department must accept a compliance statement if the organization's complete recognition application remains undecided when school starts. Separately, nonpublic schools qualify for the monitoring exemption if they receive no state or federal funds, directly or indirectly, from any source.

Childcare licensing exemptions expand and narrow

Standalone early learning programs count as early learning centers only when they are not part of an elementary school. Preschool programs attached to public or nonpublic schools serving kindergarten and higher grades, plus mother's day out programs, are licensing-exempt. The law removes the former licensing exemption for certain approved Louisiana Montessori schools. It expands licensing-exempt camps to include programs serving only children age three or older during summer months or school holidays. It also includes qualifying tax-exempt churches' religious camps for any age and listed after-school or weekend learning, sports, and enrichment programs.

New staffing protections for preschool children

Covered school preschool programs must have at least two staff members whenever more than four children are present. A temporary, unusual circumstance allows an exception. The state education board must replace statutory ratios with staffing rules for children ages three, four, and five. The board can waive rules with clear and convincing evidence of major economic hardship despite diligent efforts to comply. Waivers allow different staffing arrangements, but alternative measures must protect the health, safety, and well-being of children and staff.

Preschool parents receive yearly safety information

Parents enrolling children in covered preschool programs must receive information about safety standards, monitoring, and complaint processes. The notice explains that the program is school-operated, not licensed as an early learning center, and outside federal daycare rules. Louisiana's education department must send the safety document to each preschool program by August 1 every year. Schools must give it to the parents and legal guardians of all enrolled children.

Tribal preschools exempt from state safeguards

Schools operated by federally recognized tribes under federal law are exempt from the listed state preschool safety and oversight provisions. The exemption also covers related state education board rules. These schools and programs can still seek or receive state education board approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Beth Mizell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Michael Robert Bayham Jr.

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 224 • No: 46

Senate vote • 5/29/2026

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 7 nays.

Yes: 25 • No: 7

House vote • 5/27/2026

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 73, nays 24. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

Yes: 73 • No: 24

House vote • 5/6/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 80, nays 12. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 80 • No: 12

House vote • 4/23/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

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

    6/1/2026Senate

  2. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 587.

    6/1/2026Senate

  3. Effective date 6/1/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

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

    5/31/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/31/2026House

  6. Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 7 nays.

    5/29/2026Senate

  7. Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

    5/29/2026House

  8. Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 73, nays 24. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

    5/27/2026House

  9. Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

    5/27/2026Senate

  10. Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.

    5/26/2026House

  11. Conference committee report received.

    5/26/2026Senate

  12. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/27/2026.

    5/26/2026House

  13. House conferees appointed: Schlegel, Hilferty, and Chenevert.

    5/18/2026House

  14. Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

    5/18/2026Senate

  15. Notice of Senate conferees appointed.

    5/12/2026House

  16. Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.

    5/11/2026House

  17. Senate conference committee members appointed: Mizell, Edmonds, and Barrow.

    5/11/2026Senate

  18. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 80, nays 12. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/6/2026House

  19. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/6/2026Senate

  20. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/06/2026.

    5/5/2026House

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

    4/28/2026House

  22. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    4/27/2026House

  23. Reported with amendments (11-3). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/23/2026House

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

    4/16/2026House

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

    4/15/2026House

Bill Text

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