House Bill No. HLS 24RS-389 establishes the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program, a universal school choice initiative designed to provide state funding for various educational options for K-12 students. The bill amends and reenacts several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, including R.S. 17:236(A) and 4014, while enacting new provisions under R.S. 17:3996(B)(82) and Chapter 43-C, which includes R.S. 17:4037.1 through 4037.9. The program will be administered by the state Department of Education, which will oversee eligibility criteria for students, schools, and service providers, and will require annual reporting to the legislature. The existing Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program will transition to the LA GATOR program, which will terminate on June 30, 2025.

Key features of the LA GATOR Scholarship Program include the creation of education scholarship accounts for eligible students, which can be used for qualified education expenses such as tuition and tutoring. The bill specifies that funds from these accounts cannot be refunded or shared with parents or students, and any rebates must be credited directly to the account. It also outlines a phased approach for eligibility over the first two school years based on prior educational participation, enrollment status, and family income. Additionally, the legislation modifies eligibility for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) to include LA GATOR participants who do not graduate from a Louisiana public or approved nonpublic school. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or the lapse of time for gubernatorial action, with certain provisions contingent upon legislative appropriations.

Statutes affected:
HB745 Original: 17:236(A)
HB745 Engrossed: 17:236(A)
HB745 Reengrossed: 17:236(A)