HLS 14RS-691 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 116
BY REPRESENTATIVE FOIL
SCHOOLS/CHOICE : Provides relative to student eligibility criteria for participation in a
voucher program for students with exceptionalities and for continuation of the
program
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:4031(B)(2)(a) and to repeal Section 2 of Act No. 424 of the2
2012 Regular Session of the Legislature, relative to the School Choice Program for3
Certain Students with Exceptionalities; to provide relative to student eligibility4
criteria for participation in the program; to provide for continuation of the program;5
and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17:4031(B)(2)(a) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as8
follows: 9
ยง4031. School choice program; students with exceptionalities; establishment;10
purpose; student eligibility; nonpublic school eligibility; educational11
certificates; administration; implementation; reporting12
* * *13
B.14
* * *15
(2) Any student who meets all of the following criteria is an eligible student:16
(a) The student has been evaluated by a local education agency as defined17
in R.S. 17:1942, is determined to be in need of services for autism, a mental18
disability, emotional disturbance, developmental delay, other health impairment,19 HLS 14RS-691 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 116
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
specific learning disability, or traumatic brain injury, and has one of the following1
plans: an Individual Education Plan, or a services plan in accordance with Title 342
of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 300.37, or a plan that is created by the3
nonpublic school that the student will attend and that clearly identifies the services4
provided by the school and specifies how those services adequately address the5
student's needs.6
* * *7
Section 2. Section 2 of Act No. 424 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Legislature8
is hereby repealed in its entirety.9
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Foil HB No. 116
Abstract: Provides relative to student eligibility criteria for participation in a voucher
program for certain students with exceptionalities and repeals provision for sunset
of the program.
Present law establishes a voucher program known as the School Choice Program for Certain
Students with Exceptionalities. Further provides that the purpose of the program is to
provide certain students with exceptionalities the opportunity to attend schools of their
parents' choosing that provide educational services that specifically address the needs of
such students. Present law provides for the establishment of the program in each parish
having a population in excess of 190,000 persons.
Present law provides for student eligibility criteria for participation in the program. Requires
that the student be evaluated by a local education agency, be determined to be in need of
services for autism, a mental disability, emotional disturbance, developmental delay, other
health impairment, specific learning disability, or traumatic brain injury, and have an
Individual Education Plan or a services plan in accordance with Title 34 of the Code of
Federal Regulations Part 300.37.
Proposed law adds a plan created by the nonpublic school that the student will attend that
clearly identifies the services provided by the nonpublic school and how those services
adequately address the student's needs as an alternative to the plans required by present law;
otherwise retains present law.
Present law (Section 2 of Act 424 of 2012 R.S.) terminates certain provisions of present law
providing for the program, including provision establishing the program at the end of the
2014-2015 school year. Proposed law repeals this termination.
(Amends R.S. 17:4031(B)(2)(a); Repeals Section 2 of Act 424 of the 2012 R.S.)