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 714 Original 2015 Regular Session James
Abstract: Prohibits BESE from entering into charters for two years and requires Type 5 charter
schools located in certain school systems to pay a proportional share of the retiree health care
costs, including any legacy costs, of the public school system.
Present law (R.S. 17:3981) provides that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
(BESE) shall enter into any proposed charter that complies with present law and the rules adopted
pursuant to the authority in present law that the board determines is a valid, complete, financially
well-structured, and educationally sound proposal that offers potential for fulfilling the purposes of
present law. Proposed law prohibits the board from entering into any such charters for the 2015-
2016 and 2016-2017 school years.
Present law (R.S. 17:3995) provides relative to funding for charter schools. Proposed law adds that
notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation, or policy to the contrary, in any city, parish, or other local
public school system where three or more Type 5 charter schools (Recovery School District schools)
are located, such charter schools shall pay a proportional share of the retiree health care costs,
including any legacy costs, of the public school system. Requires BESE to determine the amount
to be paid annually and the method for making such payment by each Type 5 charter school to the
city, parish, or other local public school system. Requires BESE to promulgate rules in accordance
with the Administrative Procedure Act for implementation of proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 17:3981(2); Adds R.S. 17:3995(K))