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 583 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Provides for a parental petition process for the creation of foreign language immersion
programs for students in grades prekindergarten through 12.
Present law authorizes local public school boards to establish foreign language immersion programs.
Requires a school board to establish such a program if requested in writing by the parents of at least
25 students seeking enrollment in kindergarten or at least 25 students seeking enrollment in first
grade if certain criteria are met.
Proposed law requires local school boards to request international teachers by January 15 prior to
the school year in which a program is to be established.
Present law provides a deadline of January 31 prior to the school year in which a program is to be
established for parents to submit requests for such program. Proposed law moves deadline to
September 30 prior to the school year in which a program is to be established.
Present law provides for a deadline of February 15 for school boards to notify parents relative to the
number of requests submitted. Proposed law moves deadline to October 31 or 15 days after the
receipt of the requests, whichever is sooner.
Proposed law authorizes parents who submit requests to local school boards to make appeals to the
state Dept. of Education (DOE) within 15 days of the school board's denial. Grants 15 days for DOE
to make a determination on the parents' appeal.
Present law requires that such program be continued as long as at least 20 students remain enrolled
in the program.
Proposed law requires that if the program ceases despite having 20 students enrolled, the school
board shall remit minimum foundation program foreign language teacher salary supplement funds
to the state Dept. of Education.
Proposed law authorizes parents, if school boards do not fulfill the requirements of present law to
establish a program, through any of the following:
(1)Request approval as a Type 1 charter school.
(2)Request approval as a Type 2 charter school from the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
(3)Request that a charter school with an immersion program open a new campus in an area that
can serve their children.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a)(intro. para) and (ii) and (v), (b), (d), and (e) and 3983(A)(2)(a)(i);
Adds R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(g) and (h) and 3983(A)(2)(a)(iv))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Remove name change of the International School in Lafayette to L'Académie de la
Louisiane.
2. Remove narrowing scope of school from a world language immersion school to only
French language.
3. Remove provision of governance of the school by a 16-member board of directors.
4. Remove expansion of École Pointe-au-Chien from a school for students in grades pre-K
through 4 to also include grade 5.
5. Remove authorization for École Pointe-au-Chien campus locations outside of Terrebonne
Parish.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Authorize a direct application to BESE for a Type 2 charter school if a school board has
failed to comply with present law regarding immersion programs.
2. Move deadline for parents to submit requests for an immersion program from January
31 to September 30 prior to the school year in which the program is to be established.
3. Move deadline for school boards to notify parents as to whether or not the required
number of written requests was submitted to establish a program from February 15 or 15
days after receipt of the requests, whichever is sooner, to October 31 or 15 days after
receipt of the requests, whichever is sooner.
4. Add a deadline for appeals of school board decisions regarding creation of immersion
programs.
5. Require that local school boards request international teachers for a program by January 15 prior to the school year in which the program is to be established.