House Bill No. by Representative Zeringue amends the eligibility requirements for students participating in the student tuition organization (STO) tax credit program in Louisiana. The bill expands the definition of a "qualified student" to include children with disabilities and exempts them from the household income limitation of 250% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, it allows qualified students to receive scholarships from multiple sources, including state-funded school choice programs, without prohibiting them from receiving other publicly funded scholarships or financial assistance for attending nonpublic schools.

The bill also modifies existing provisions by replacing the previous restriction that disallowed students from receiving both an STO scholarship and other forms of financial assistance. Instead, it now authorizes such combinations, thereby increasing the financial support available to qualified students. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to donations made to STOs for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Statutes affected:
HB484 Original: 47:6301(B)(3)