RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 95 (SB 99) 2021 Regular Session Fields
Prior law provided for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.
New law updates terminology relative to institutional accrediting agencies to conform to
federal rule changes by removing the terms "regional" and "regionally".
Prior law required the administering agency to provide for rules, procedures, and guidelines
for the TOPS program, including procedures for considering a student's application. Further
required 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. Prior law provided for a one semester award reduction
for qualifying scores earned after the April test date and provides exceptions to the reduction.
New 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.
Prior law provided 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.
New law retains prior 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.
Prior law provided for modified eligibility requirements during a declared health emergency.
Prior law provided 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.
New 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 (June 4, 2021).
(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))