Senate Resolution No. ___, introduced by Senator Barrow, urges the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to report to the Senate committees on finance and education regarding the installation and operation of cameras in certain classrooms. This request follows the enactment of Acts No. 456 and No. 588, which mandated public schools, including charter schools, to adopt policies for camera installation upon parental request and to submit these policies to the LDOE by January 15, 2023. The resolution highlights concerns raised during a Senate Committee on Finance meeting regarding the status of the $8 million appropriated for classroom cameras and whether the funds are being utilized as intended.

The resolution specifies that the report should include details on whether LDOE received the required policies from school systems, the allocation of funds for camera installation, and the number of systems that have successfully installed and are operating cameras as mandated. The LDOE and BESE are required to submit this report by June 1, 2023, and to provide annual updates starting February 1, 2024. The resolution aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of classroom camera policies to enhance the educational environment.