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)]
HB 653 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Abstract: Provides relative to the applicability of the minimum requirements for instructional time
in schools due to school closure for reasons of natural catastrophe or disaster.
Present law provides that the minimum school day for grades 1-12 in every public school shall
consist of 360 minutes of instructional time and the minimum school year shall consist of 177 days
of instruction. Authorizes school governing authorities to modify the total number of instructional
minutes per day and instructional days per year under certain conditions, provided the same
minimum total instructional minutes for the year is not changed.
Present law provides that such provisions shall not be applicable to any city, parish, or other local
public school or school system that cannot meet the minimum requirements for any given school
year due to school closure for reasons of natural catastrophe or disaster as certified by the state
superintendent of education and approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE) in accordance with criteria established by the board pursuant to rules and
regulations adopted for such purpose. Requires the school or school system to submit information
explaining the reasons why it cannot meet the minimum requirements and efforts made by the school
or school system toward meeting the requirements. Present law applies to an entire school system
only if every school within the system is forced to close.
Proposed law removes requirement for BESE approval in order for the school closure to occur.
Provides for approval by the state superintendent of the documented information required for
submission. Adds requirement that BESE rules and regulations include a procedure for a school or
school system that does not receive approval by the state superintendent to appeal to BESE for
approval. Proposed law retains present law with respect to the applicability of such requirements
to an entire school system if every school in the system is forced to close. Otherwise retains present
law.
(Amends R.S. 17:154.1(A)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Retain present law requiring certification of the catastrophe or disaster by the state
superintendent and requirement for submission of relevant information to him. 2. Add that BESE rules and regulations include a procedure for appeal of a decision by the
state superintendent to BESE.
3. Delete proposed law condition that the natural catastrophe or disaster be one for which
the governor declares a state of emergency.