RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 274 (SB 158) 2019 Regular Session Donahue
New law requires each local public school superintendent and the administrative head of
each charter school or other public school to establish a special education advisory council
to provide advice and feedback regarding special education policies, procedures, and
resources and engage in community outreach.
New law provides that the number of members and composition of the council shall be
determined by the local public school superintendent or the administrative head of each
charter or other public school and provides that:
(1)50% shall be parents of students with an exceptionality, other than gifted and
talented.
(2)25% shall be teachers, principals, or paraprofessionals.
(3)25% shall be other special education stakeholders.
New law provides that each local public school superintendent and administrative head of
a charter or other public school shall seek applications for council membership from parents
of students with an exceptionality other than gifted and talented, teachers, principals,
paraprofessionals, and other stakeholders. Requires that an effort be made to include parents
of students in elementary, middle, and high school grades.
New law requires the local public school superintendent or administrative head of the charter
school or other public school to designate the chairperson of the council who shall call the
council's meetings, preside over the meetings, and establish the agendas for the meetings.
New law provides that each special education advisory council shall meet at least three times
a year and shall annually submit a report to the superintendent or the administrative head of
the charter school or other public school regarding its activities.
New law provides that there shall be no liability or cause of action against the public school
district, public charter school or other public school, or any officer or employee thereof for
any action taken by members of the council.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 11, 2019).
(Adds R.S. 17:1944.1 and 3996(B)(54))