Carter (HB 407) Act No. 411
Existing law requires each person with responsibility for a child older than seven years to
send the child to school until his 18th birthday or until he graduates from high school,
whichever occurs first.
Prior law prohibited a public school board from denying admission or readmission to school
to any person of suitable age who resided within the geographic boundaries of the school
system unless such person was legally excluded from attending school.
New law requires a public school board to grant admission or readmission to school to any
person who meets all of the following criteria:
(1)Resides within the geographic boundaries of the school system.
(2)Is at least six years old by Sept. 30 of the calendar year in which the school year
begins.
(3)Is 19 or younger on Sept. 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins or
is 20 on Sept. 30 and has sufficient credit to graduate within one school year. New
law requires that the admission or readmission of a person who is 20 be limited to
grade 12.
(4)Has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(5)Is otherwise eligible for enrollment in a public school pursuant to existing law and
the policies of the local public school board and the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education. However, new law prohibits a school board from denying
admission or readmission to a person because the person: withdrew from school, is
pregnant, is a parent, or is married.
New law further provides that the admission or readmission of any person who has been
suspended or expelled from a La. public school is subject to all laws and policies applicable
to such disciplinary actions and that the admission or readmission of a person with an
exceptionality is subject to federal and state law governing the age of eligibility for services
for students with exceptionalities.
Effective Aug. 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 17:221(B))