House Bill No. 558, introduced by Representative Davis, amends the eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial assistance to students attending two-year public postsecondary institutions or proprietary schools. The bill modifies the existing law by allowing individuals with certain criminal convictions to be eligible for the program, specifically those who have been convicted of crimes that are not classified as violent offenses. The amended language specifies that a conviction for crimes listed in R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(f) will not disqualify an applicant unless the conviction is for specific serious offenses, including battery of a police officer, disarming a peace officer, aggravated assault with a firearm, simple kidnapping, and others.

The bill retains the current law's provisions that disqualify applicants with convictions for a range of violent crimes, such as murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery. However, it introduces a more nuanced approach to eligibility by allowing individuals with convictions for less severe offenses, such as aggravated battery and simple robbery, to apply for the program. The amendments adopted by the House Committee on Education also restore certain crimes to the disqualification list, including disarming a peace officer and home invasion, ensuring that the program maintains a focus on safety while expanding access to those with less severe criminal histories.

Statutes affected:
HB558 Original: 17:2(A)(8)
HB558 Engrossed: 17:2(A)(8)