The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Cheryl
M. Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 481 Reengrossed 2020 Regular Session Fields
Proposed law provides for suspension of certain laws pertaining to elementary and secondary
education for students impacted by the public health emergency declared by the governor in response
to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Proposed law requires postsecondary education management boards to adopt policies to address the
negative impacts on postsecondary students, faculty, and other employees by the public health
emergency declared by the governor in response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Proposed law makes the following modifications to initial eligibility requirements for a Taylor
Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award:
(1)The deadline for taking the ACT or SAT test is Sept. 30, 2020. (The deadline is normally
April, as provided by rule.)
Present law provides that a student loses a semester of eligibility if he is late qualifying.
Proposed law provides that present law shall not be applied to a student who qualifies under
the extended deadline.
(2)Provides that if any Jump Start graduation requirement was waived by a high school for
graduation purposes, the requirement shall also be waived for TOPS-Tech eligibility
purposes.
(3)Authorizes the administering agency to waive the home study requirements in present law
if it determines that the student's failure to meet those requirements was, more likely than
not, due solely to consequences of measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Proposed law makes the following modifications to continuing eligibility requirements for a TOPS
award with respect to the 2019-2020 academic year:
(1)Waives requirements for steady academic progress.
(2)Waives requirements for the achievement of certain cumulative grade point averages.
(3)Extends the time a student has to recover an award that was suspended because of a low
grade point average or failure to make steady academic progress.
(4)Authorizes the administering agency to waive other provisions of present law if the agency determines that a failure to comply with the provision is, more likely than not, due solely to
a consequence of measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:8, 3351(M), and 5103)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Provides technical amendments.
2. Clarifies TOPS related provisions.