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 LA GATOR program will allow students to access a range of educational settings, with specific eligibility criteria for students, schools, and service providers. It also mandates the state Department of Education to submit annual reports to the legislature and establishes a system for parents to manage funds for qualified education expenses.

The bill transitions participants from the existing Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program (SSEEP) to the new LA GATOR program, effective June 30, 2025, and includes provisions for defining a school, eligibility for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, and the establishment of education scholarship accounts. Key provisions include restrictions on account fund refunds, requirements for parental agreement on educational commitments, and a phased approach for initial eligibility based on prior educational participation and family income. The legislation also sets eligibility requirements for schools and service providers, ensuring compliance with state standards, and allows for various educational delivery methods. The program will be effective upon legislative appropriation, with existing SSEEP provisions repealed one year after the LA GATOR program's implementation.

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