DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 546 Original 2024 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Requires three years of French language instruction in elementary school, in middle
school, and in high school.
Present law requires French language instruction in public schools, allows school boards to request
exemption from this requirement from BESE, and provides that the exemption shall not be denied.
Proposed law specifically requires that three years of French language instruction be offered in
elementary school, three years be offered in middle school, and three years be offered in high school.
Exempts school boards on the basis of financial infeasibility as determined by the State Bd. of
Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); prohibits the determination that a school board is
financially unable to offer the instruction if it offers any other foreign languages; and provides that
proposed law applies regardless of financial determinations if the instruction is requested by at least
25 parents.
Proposed law requires the state Dept. of Education (DOE) to shall establish and maintain a list of
recommended materials for use in proposed law instruction and in French immersion programs
throughout the state.
Proposed law requires the sequences of instruction required by proposed law to begin by the 2028-
2029 school year.
(Amends R.S. 17:272)