SLS 23RS-54 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 71
BY SENATOR BOUIE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
SCHOOLS. Provides relative to learning pods. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:4036.1(A), (D)(3), and (F) and to enact R.S. 17:4036.1(E)(5),
3 relative to learning pods; to provide relative to the services and activities provided
4 by learning pods; to prohibit learning pods from charging tuition or certain fees; to
5 provide relative to transportation and food services; to require learning pods to
6 develop and post a student fee policy; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 17:4036.1(A), (D)(3), and (F) are hereby amended and reenacted and
9 R.S. 17:4036.1(E)(5) is enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง4036.1. Learning pods
11 A.(1) Each public school governing authority may establish learning pods as
12 an extension of any school under its jurisdiction. For purposes of this Chapter,
13 "learning pod" means a group of at least ten students enrolled in the school who
14 receive instruction in a small group setting.
15 (2) Each learning pod shall be provided free of charge to students. A
16 student at a learning pod shall not be charged tuition or fees for the following:
17 (a) Attendance.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 71
SLS 23RS-54 ORIGINAL
1 (b) Services that are not charged to a student at the school.
2 (c) Any service offered only at the school.
3 (d) Any specialized curriculum or special educational services.
4 (e) Any activities or services for which state or federal funds were
5 provided.
6 * * *
7 D. Students assigned to a learning pod shall be:
8 * * *
9 (3) Eligible for participation in all services and activities for which they
10 would be eligible if not assigned to a learning pod. including:
11 (a) Transportation to and from the learning pod, pursuant to R.S.
12 17:158. In addition, free transportation shall be provided between the learning
13 pod and the school for student services and activities available only at the
14 school.
15 (b) Food services. Any student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch
16 shall be provided food services as prescribed by the federally funded program.
17 E. The establishment of learning pods shall be subject to policies and
18 procedures adopted by a public school governing authority, which, at a minimum,
19 shall provide for the following:
20 * * *
21 (5) A student fee policy in accordance with R.S. 17:177. The student fee
22 policy and a listing of all student fees shall be provided to each student and the
23 student's parent or legal guardian prior to the start of each academic year and
24 shall be posted on the website of the school and the learning pod.
25 F. This Chapter does not apply to or have any effect on any learning pod or
26 other group of students that is formed and operated by parents that does not receive
27 state or federal funds, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a public school or
28 a nonpublic school or participating in a home study program.
29 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 71
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1 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
2 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
3 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
4 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 71 Original 2023 Regular Session Bouie
Present law provides for the establishment of learning pods. Provides that students at a
learning pod shall be eligible for all participation in services and activities for which they
would have been eligible if not assigned to a learning pod. Further requires the school
governing authority to adopt certain polices and procedures.
Proposed law requires that a learning pod be provided free of charge to students. Further
prohibits students from being charged tuition or certain other fees.
Proposed law provides that transportation and food services are included in the services in
which a student at a learning pod is eligible to participate.
Proposed law requires the governing authority of the school to adopt a student fee policy for
each learning pod and to provide the policy and a listing of all student fees to each student
and the parent or legal guardian of each student prior to start of each academic year.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:4036.1(A), (D)(3), and (F); adds R.S. 17:4036.1(E)(5))
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.