Louisiana House Bill HB712

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/14/16
• Report Pass: 4/13/16
• Engrossed: 4/25/16
• Refer: 4/26/16
• Report Pass: 5/9/16
• Enrolled: 5/25/16
• Chaptered: 6/5/16
• Passed: 6/5/16

Caption

Provides relative to assignment of students with exceptionalities to schools requested by their parents

Impact

The bill is intended to enhance the educational options available to children with exceptionalities by granting parents more control over their children's schooling. By allowing parents to request a specific school that is further away, the legislation aims to ensure that students with unique needs can access appropriate educational environments that may better meet their individual requirements. This could potentially lead to a greater alignment of school resources with the needs of students who require specialized attention.

Summary

House Bill 712, also known as 'Aeden's Law', addresses the assignment of students with exceptionalities to schools as requested by their parents. The bill mandates that local education agencies must accommodate requests for school assignment under specific conditions. These conditions include the requirement for parents to submit a written request along with recommendations from licensed physicians, and stipulations regarding the distance of the requested school from both the currently assigned school and the student's home.

Sentiment

Supporters of HB 712 have emphasized the importance of parental choice and the right of families to make informed decisions about their children's education. The sentiment appears generally positive among those advocating for parents' rights in education, suggesting that the bill empowers families of students with exceptionalities. However, there may be concerns from some educational administrators about the feasibility of implementing these requirements and how it might affect the distribution of resources within school districts.

Contention

While there is a broad consensus on the importance of supporting students with exceptionalities, some tensions might arise regarding the logistics of implementing HB 712. Educational agencies could face challenges in managing the increased volume of parent requests for school assignments, particularly if many families choose schools located far from their assigned locations. Opponents may also argue that such measures could inadvertently complicate the existing enrollment processes and impact planning for necessary educational resources.