The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 99 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Fields
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.
Proposed law updates terminology relative to institutional accrediting agencies to conform to federal
rule changes by removing the terms "regional" and "regionally".
Present law requires the administering agency to provide for rules, procedures, and guidelines for
the TOPS program, including procedures for considering a student's application. Further requires the
administering agency to develop guidelines and procedures for considering qualifying ACT and SAT
test scores that are obtained after the national ACT test date in April of a student's graduation year.
Present law provides for a one semester award reduction for qualifying scores earned after the April
test date and provides exceptions to the reduction.
Proposed law extends, beginning with students who graduate in the 2020-2021 academic year, the
date by which a student must take the ACT or SAT to receive qualifying scores with a one semester
award reduction from July first to August first. Additionally, provides that if a student was prevented
from taking the test on or prior to the April national ACT test date due to issues with test
administration, the student may provide a qualifying test score by September 30th without a one
semester award reduction.
Present law provides alternative initial eligibility for students who graduate from approved home
study programs, provided the student began the home study program prior to the end of their tenth
grade year and met all other qualifications required by law.
Proposed law retains present law, and additionally requires the administering agency to provide
guidelines and procedures for receiving and considering an application for an award from a student
who commenced an approved home study program after the end of their tenth grade year, if the move
to home study was due to documented circumstances beyond the immediate control of the student.
Present law provides for modified eligibility requirements during a declared health emergency.
Present law provides that for students graduating in 2020, the deadline for taking the ACT or SAT
for purposes of consideration for an award shall be December 31, 2020.
Proposed law allows the administering agency to make exemptions for students who graduate in
2020 and 2021 and test after the prescribed deadlines, if the student provides documentation of:
(1)Registration for a test scheduled on a date prior to the deadline.
(2)Inability to take the test as scheduled due to circumstances related to COVID-19. (3)Inability to reschedule a test before the deadline due to circumstances beyond the student's
control, as determined by the administering agency.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5002(B)(2), 5027(B), (C)(intro para), and (C)(1), 5029(A)(1)(c), 5043(2),
5062(C)(4) and (5), and 5103(B)(1); adds R.S. 17:5062(C)(6))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Makes technical corrections to title and enacting clause.