ENROLLED
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 140
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 243
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARTER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:3048.1(P)(1)(a) and (V)(1)(a), relative to the Taylor2
Opportunity Program for Students; to provide for the eligibility of certain students3
graduating from certain high schools outside of Louisiana or the United States to4
receive program awards; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related5
matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17:3048.1(P)(1)(a) and (V)(1)(a) are hereby amended and reenacted8
to read as follows:9
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration10
* * *11
P.(1) Notwithstanding any initial student eligibility requirement of this12
Chapter to the contrary, a student shall be eligible to receive a TOPS-Tech Award13
pursuant to this Section provided each of the applicable following conditions are14
met:15
(a) The student has been certified by the principal or headmaster to have met16
one of the following criteria:17
(i) The student graduated during the 1996-1997 or the 1997-1998 school year18
or thereafter from an out-of-state high school which has been approved by the19
appropriate state educational agency in the state in which the school is located ;.20
(ii) The student graduated from an out-of-state high school which is21
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on22
Secondary and Middle Schools and meets the standards adopted by the State Board23 ENROLLEDHB NO. 243
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval of nonpublic schools in1
Louisiana; or, for students certified to have.2
(iii) The student graduated during the 2002-2003 school year or thereafter3
from an out-of-state high school that is accredited by a regional accrediting4
organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and meets the5
standards adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for6
approval of nonpublic schools in Louisiana ; or .7
(iv) The student graduated from a high school which has been approved by8
the United States Department of Defense.9
(v) The student graduated during the 2009-2010 school year or thereafter10
with an International Baccalaureate Diploma from an out-of-state high school11
approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization to issue such a diploma.12
* * *13
V.(1) Notwithstanding any initial student eligibility requirement of this14
Chapter to the contrary, a student shall be eligible to receive a TOPS-Tech Award15
pursuant to this Section provided each of the following conditions are met:16
(a) The student has been certified by the principal or headmaster to have17
meets one of the following criteria:18
(i) The student has been certified by the principal or headmaster to have19
graduated during the 2000-2001 school year or thereafter from a high school located20
outside of the United States and its territories which meets the standards adopted by21
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval of nonpublic22
schools in Louisiana and which is accredited by an accrediting organization23
recognized by the United States Department of Education . or, in the alternative,24
(ii) The student has been certified by a parent or court-ordered custodian to25
have successfully completed at the twelfth grade level a home study program26
approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education conducted27
outside the United States and its territories.28
(iii) The student has been certified by the principal or headmaster to have29
graduated during the 2009-2010 school year or thereafter with an International30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 243
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Baccalaureate Diploma from a high school located outside of the United States and1
its territories and approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization to issue2
such a diploma.3
* * *4
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not5
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature6
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If7
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become8
effective on the day following such approval.9
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: