SB 504 — STUDENTS: Provides relative to individual graduation plans. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SLS 26RS-1489 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.

504 BY SENATOR CARTER STUDENTS.AND REPRESENTATIVES BROUSSARD, CARVER, FREIBERG, TERRY LANDRY, MARTINEZ, SCHLEGEL AND TAYLOR AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

Provides17:2925(A)(2) relativeand to(4) individualthrough graduation(7) plans.and to enact R.S.

(8/1/26)17:2925(A)(8) ANand ACT(9) ToamendandreenactR.S.and (D), and 3996(B)(92), relative to Individual Graduation Plans;

17:2925(A)(4),(5),(6),and(7)andtoto enactprovide R.S.relative to requirements pertaining to such plans for students attending certain charter schools;

17:2925(A)(8)to and(9)and(D),and3996(B)(92),relativetoIndividualGraduationPlans;toprovideprovide relativetoinformationonvocationaltrainingopportunities;toprovideforparentandrelative legalto guardianinformation requestingon authority;vocational trainingopportunities;

to provideforparentandlegalguardianrequestingauthority;

SectionSection1.R.S.17:2925(A)(2)and(4)through(7)areherebyamendedandreenacted 1.and R.S.

R.S.

17:2925(A)(4), (5), (6), and (7) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.

Individual graduation plans A.(1) * * * (4)(2)(a) TheByExceptas parentprovided orin legalSubparagraph guardian(b) of athis studentParagraph, enteringby intotheendoftheeighthgrade,eachstudent'sIndividualGraduationPlanorthestudent's theIndividualized eleventhEducation gradeProgram, mayif requestapplicable, shall list the student'srequired Individualcore Graduationcourses Planto orbe taken through the student'stenth Individualizedgrade Educationand Program,shall ifidentify applicable,the courses to be updated.taken in the first yearof high school.

(5)Students Thewho Individualfail Graduationtomeetthestandardforpromotion Planto orthe Individualizedninth Educationgrade, Program,pursuant andto anypolicies revisionadopted thereto,by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall includehave availableany vocationalnecessary trainingremedial Pagecourses 1included ofin 4their Coding:Individual Graduation Plan.

(b)(i) A charter school that terminates in the eighth grade shall provide written notice to each eighth grade student and his parent or legal guardian of the purpose of an Individual Graduation Plan, an explanation of the different typesofhighschooldiplomas,andthecoursesrequiredforeachtypeofdiploma so that the student is prepared to complete his plan with the list of required Page 1 of 3 Coding:

SLS 26RS-1489 REENGROSSED SB NO.

504 opportunitiesENROLLED incourses to be taken upon the student's enrollment in high school district.but no later than October first of the student's ninth grade year.

(4)(6)(ii) TheA Individualcharter Graduationschool Planthat shallterminates bein sufficientlythe flexibleeighth tograde allowmay thepartner student to, with the written approval of a parenthigh orschoolthatan legaleighth guardian,gradestudent changeplans histoattendforassistancein programproviding offor study, yet be sufficiently structured to ensure that the studentstudent's willIndividual meetGraduation thehighPlan schoolgraduationrequirementsforhisor chosenmajorortherequirementsof the student's Individualized Education Program, if applicable, andas beprovided qualifiedin forSubparagraph admission(a) toof athis postsecondaryParagraph. education institution or to enter the workforce.

* * * (4) The parent or legal guardian of a student entering into the eleventh grade may request the student's Individual Graduation Plan or the student's Individualized Education Program, if applicable, be updated.

(5)Each student, with the assistance of his parentorlegalguardian and school counselor, shall be offered available vocational training opportunities.

(4)(6) The Individual Graduation Plan shall be sufficiently flexible to allow the student to, with the written approval of a parent or legal guardian, change his program of study, yet be sufficiently structured to ensure that the student will meet thehigh schoolgraduation requirementsforhis chosenmajorortherequirementsof the student's Individualized Education Program, if applicable, and be qualified for admission to a postsecondary education institution or to enter the workforce.

*Page *2 *of D.3 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

504 ENROLLED * * * D.

Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are Pageapplicable 2to ofpublic 4schools Coding:and to public school officers and employees except for the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-1489 REENGROSSED SB NO.

504 applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:

* * * ThePRESIDENT originalOF instrumentTHE andSENATE theSPEAKER followingOF digest,THE whichHOUSE constitutesOF noREPRESENTATIVES partGOVERNOR ofOF theTHE legislativeSTATE instrument,OF wereLOUISIANA preparedAPPROVED: by Senate Legislative Services.

ThePage keyword,3 summary, and digest do not constitute part of the3 lawCoding: or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 504 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Carter Present law (R.S.

17:2925) provides that every student, by the end of the 8th grade, must begin to develop an Individual Graduation Plan or Individualized Education Program, if applicable,toguidethenextacademicyear'scourseworkandassistinexploringeducational and career possibilities.

ProposedlawretainspresentlawandfurtherprovidesthateveryIndividualGraduationPlan andIndividualizedEducationProgrammustincludevocationaltrainingopportunitiesinthe student's school district.

Proposed law provides that a parent or legal guardian of a student entering 11th grade can request an update to the student's Individual Graduation Plan or Individualized Education Program.

Proposedlawprovidesthateachschoolmustuseexistingschoolstaff,counselors,andother available resources to carryout proposed law.

Presentlaw(R.S.17:3996)providesthatcharterschoolsareexemptfromstatutorymandates or requirements applicable to public school except for certain laws listed in present law.

Proposed law retains present law and further provides that individual graduation plans are applicable to charter schools.

Effective on August 1, 2026.