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 specifically addresses the criminal history criteria for applicants. Under the proposed law, individuals with certain convictions will now be eligible for the program, provided their convictions do not include specific serious offenses. The bill retains the existing prohibition against eligibility for those convicted of violent crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery, while allowing those with convictions for lesser offenses, such as aggravated battery and second-degree battery, to qualify.

The bill modifies the current law by inserting language that clarifies which convictions will not disqualify an applicant from the program. Notably, it specifies that a conviction for crimes listed in R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(f) will not automatically render an applicant ineligible unless the conviction is for one of the more serious offenses, including battery of a police officer and aggravated arson. Additionally, the bill restores certain crimes to the list of disqualifying offenses, such as disarming a peace officer and home invasion, ensuring that the eligibility criteria remain stringent for serious violent crimes.

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