Louisiana House Bill HB517

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/19
• Refer: 3/29/19
• Refer: 4/8/19
• Report Pass: 5/1/19
• Engrossed: 5/15/19
• Refer: 5/16/19
• Report Pass: 5/27/19
• Enrolled: 6/3/19
• Chaptered: 6/11/19
• Passed: 6/11/19

Caption

Provides relative to fees charged to students in elementary and secondary schools

Impact

The bill significantly influences state education laws by standardizing the approach to fees across public schools. It aims to promote fairness in educational access by outlining clear procedures for fee waivers based on economic hardship, which includes considerations such as family income or military service. The expectation is that these measures will alleviate financial burdens on low-income families, ensuring that no student is denied participation in educational activities due to an inability to pay fees. This act is particularly relevant for students in charter schools, which are governed under a different set of regulations but still required to comply with these new guidelines regarding fees.

Summary

House Bill 517 addresses the policies surrounding fees charged to students in public elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. The bill mandates that by December 1, 2019, governing authorities of public schools must adopt and publish a comprehensive policy regarding the assessment, collection, and use of fees. This policy must include details on all fees, their purposes, the process for fee collection, and the criteria for granting waivers for economically disadvantaged students. The overarching goal of the bill is to ensure transparency and equity in how fees are managed in the educational system.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment regarding HB 517 appears to be supportive among educational advocacy groups focused on equity and access in schooling. Lawmakers expressed a desire to protect disadvantaged students and emphasized the importance of ensuring that financial barriers do not obstruct educational opportunities. While there may be concerns about the administrative burden placed on schools to comply with these new regulations, there is a general consensus that promoting transparency and fairness in fees aligns with equitable education goals.

Contention

Despite the supportive sentiment, some points of contention have arisen regarding the potential implementation challenges that public schools might face. Critics expressed concerns that the requirement to provide detailed fee structures and the new processes for waivers could overburden school administrators, particularly in smaller districts with limited resources. Additionally, there may be disagreements on the adequacy of the defined criteria for economic hardship and whether they sufficiently protect low-income students. The repeal of a previous statute associated with student fees further indicates a significant shift in how these policies will be managed, sparking discussions on the adequacy of existing measures.