House Bill No. 1112 seeks to amend existing laws governing prekindergarten programs in Louisiana by eliminating the licensing requirement for nonpublic prekindergarten programs as early learning centers. Instead, the bill applies child safety and welfare standards to certain school prekindergarten programs and revises child-to-staff ratios, allowing children as young as three years old to enroll. It also mandates that parents or guardians receive information about the operation and licensing status of the prekindergarten programs in which they enroll their children. The bill empowers the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to approve nonpublic prekindergarten programs and adopt emergency rules for implementation, while ensuring that public programs comply with safety standards.

Additionally, the legislation modifies definitions and exemptions related to prekindergarten programs, specifically excluding nonpublic prekindergarten programs from the definition of "early learning center." It increases the maximum child-to-staff ratio for four-year-olds from 15:1 to 20:1 and for five-year-olds from 19:1 to 20:1, while maintaining a requirement for at least two staff members when more than four children are present. The bill also stipulates that information regarding child-to-staff ratios and complaint procedures must be posted in public schools only, removing similar requirements for early learning centers. Overall, the bill emphasizes the importance of health, safety, and welfare standards in prekindergarten settings and allows local school boards to consider closing noncompliant public programs.

Statutes affected:
HB1112 Original: 17:11(B), 17:8(A), 17:33(1), 17:35(A), 17:41(A)
HB1112 Engrossed: 17:11(B), 17:8(A), 17:33(1), 17:35(A), 17:41(A)
HB1112 Reengrossed: 17:11(B), 17:8(A), 17:33(1), 17:35(A), 17:41(A)