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LABI Bills Score Clean Sweep in House and Senate Education Committees
Between Wednesday’s House Education and Senate Education meetings, LABI scored nine wins, with every scheduled LA Driven-Approved bill advancing with unanimous support. Here’s a rundown of those measures:
House Education Committee
SB 28 by Sen. Patrick McMath (R-Covington) lowers the age of eligibility for the state’s associate educator program from 25 to 21. This would directly address the state’s teacher shortage by growing the educator pool faster and earlier, while allowing participants the chance to gain experience.
SB 482 by Sen. Mike Reese (R-Leesville) allows career coaches to assist public middle and high school students and their parents in developing an individualized graduation plan for each student. This legislation stands to help families make informed, intentional decisions leading up to graduation. By allowing career coaches to work directly with middle and high school students and their parents, schools can start career exploration earlier, connect coursework to real-world opportunities, and ensure each student’s graduation plan reflects their goals—whether that’s college, industry credentials, apprenticeships or entering the workforce.
Individualized planning helps students choose the right classes, earn relevant credentials, and avoid costly detours after graduation. It also gives parents clearer guidance and strengthens the connection between education and Louisiana’s workforce needs, helping students graduate with a plan, a pathway and a purpose.
Senate Education Committee
SCR 33 by Sen. Brach Myers (R-Lafayette) creates the Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force. The Task Force, which LABI would have a seat on, would:
- Bring partners together to align and strengthen every pathway that connects education to real-world careers,
- Inventory existing work-based learning opportunities—apprenticeships, internships, paid co-ops, employer training and credentials—and recommend consistent statewide definitions and quality standards,
- Recommend how to structure a permanent state work-based learning office, supported by an advisory commission representing business, K–12, postsecondary education, community organizations and state agencies,
- Propose a centralized website where employers, schools and students can easily find program definitions, funding opportunities and technical assistance,
- Identify funding and incentive strategies, including seed funding, employer tax credits, wage reimbursement, pilot programs, student stipends and alignment with federal resources,
- Develop shared metrics and data-sharing agreements across state agencies, along with a plan to build and use a longitudinal data system to track outcomes,
- Establish standards for program quality, credit articulation to postsecondary credentials and U.S. Department of Labor registration, and
- Recommend targeted geographic and sector pilots in high-demand fields like health care and advanced manufacturing, and along K–12-to-college pathways, with clear evaluation criteria.
HB 268 by Rep. Kim Carver (R-Mandeville) strengthens career exposure for younger students by expanding career exposure requirements for grades 6–8. Under the measure, K-5 schools will also be required to provide students with at least one career-related activity in each grade level. Earlier exposure helps students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and supports stronger long-term workforce outcomes.
Early and repeated exposure helps students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to practical applications, which can increase engagement and motivation. It also helps them begin thinking intentionally about courses, skills and credentials they may need later. Over time, this will lead to students who are more informed, better prepared to make education decisions and more aligned with Louisiana’s workforce needs.
HB 285 by Rep. Tony Bacala (R-Prairieville) allows school boards to partner with credit unions and banks to open student-run branches inside high schools. LABI testified in support of this measure, which complements ongoing efforts to strengthen financial literacy and workforce readiness through LABI’s partnership with the College Board and the broader business community.
HB 445 by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R-Baton Rouge) moves the Louisiana S.T.E.M. Advisory Council from under the auspices of the Louisiana Board of Regents to LA Works. Housing this function within the state’s workforce agency—rather than the Department of Education—ensures stronger coordination between STEM education and economic demand, with a clear focus on building a talent pipeline that matches actual jobs. Workforce agencies are in constant contact with employers and industry, giving them real-time insight into evolving skill needs and allowing programs to adapt more quickly, while also tying efforts directly to economic development priorities and high-growth sectors.
HB 649 by Rep. Ken Brass (D-Vacherie) requires the creation of a statewide application process for students seeking dual enrollment opportunities and ensures participation from all public postsecondary institutions. This change will make it easier for students to access college-level coursework, earn credentials earlier and build a stronger cohort of skilled talent for Louisiana employers.