Senate Bill No. 362, introduced by Senator Cloud, amends and reenacts several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes related to charter schools, specifically changing the title of the relevant chapter from "Public Charter School Demonstration Law" to "Louisiana Public Charter School Law." The bill aims to enhance school choice options for parents, teachers, and students by providing a framework for the establishment and operation of charter schools. It emphasizes the importance of charter autonomy, allowing these schools to make independent operational decisions in areas such as programming, curriculum, and personnel management, while aligning with the educational policies set by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Additionally, the bill extends public school liability protections to charter schools, ensuring that the same legal protections applicable to traditional public schools also apply to charter schools and their employees. This includes provisions for chartering processes, definitions, and the overall intent to support innovative educational models. The proposed changes are set to take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
SB362 Original: 17:3972(A), 17:3972(B)(1)(C), 17:3973(1), 17:3983(A)(2)