§ 17:3996 — Charter schools; exemptions; requirements

Louisiana § 17:3996

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 17: Credit Union Law

Text

§3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
A. 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 rules and regulations
of the state board and those of any local school board that are applicable to public schools
and to public school officers and employees except for the following rules and regulations
otherwise applicable to public schools regarding:
(1) Building maintenance.
(2) Facility accessibility.
(3) Asbestos detection and abatement.
(4) The Sanitary Code.
(5) Pesticide use and safety.
(6) Fire safety.
(7) Safe work environments.
(8) The possession and safe use of weapons and hazardous materials.
(9) Adolescent health initiatives and school health centers.
(10) Hearing and vision screenings.
(11) Immunizations and health records.
(12) Communicable disease prevention.
(13) Drug use prevention.
(14) Eye safety and the use of protective goggles.
(15) Missing children identification procedures.
(16) Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 2, §2.
(17) School and district accountability system.
(18) School bus specifications and inspection requirements.
(19) School bus operational procedures.
(20) School bus operator and bus attendant pre-employment screening and training
requirements.
B. 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 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:
(1) School entrance age, R.S. 17:222.
(2) Corporal punishment, R.S. 17:416.1(B), and suspension of students, R.S. 17:223.
(3) Expulsion of students, R.S. 17:224.
(4) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
NOTE: Paragraph (B)(4) eff. upon ratification of the const. amend. proposed by Acts 2025,
No. 222.
(4) Compensation for teachers and other school employees if the charter school
participates in the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana, R.S. 17:418.1.
(5) Attendance reporting, R.S. 17:232.
(6) Admission of home study students, R.S. 17:236.2.
(7) Unauthorized use of electronic communication devices, R.S. 17:239.
(8) Smoking, R.S. 17:240.
(9) Open meetings, R.S. 42:11 et seq.
(10) Public records, R.S. 44:1 et seq.
(11) Teaching regarding the United States Constitution, R.S. 17:261.
(12) Teaching regarding the Federalist Papers and the Declaration of Independence,
R.S. 17:268.
(13) Administration of medication and exceptions thereto, R.S. 17:436.1.
(14) Teaching regarding Civics and Free Enterprise, R.S. 17:274.1.
(15) Teaching regarding sex, R.S. 17:281.
(16) Religious liberty of students, R.S. 17:2115 et seq.
(17) Pupil assessment, R.S. 17:24.4.
(18) Any school and district accountability system required by law of a public school
of similar grade or type.
(19) Public bids for the erection, construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of
a public facility or immovable property, Part II of Chapter 10 of Title 38 of the Louisiana
Revised Statutes of 1950.
(20) Code of Governmental Ethics, R.S. 42:1101 et seq., with the exception of R.S.
42:1119 as it applies to any person employed by a charter school prior to August 15, 2003.
(21) Electronic communication by an employee at a school to a student enrolled at
that school, R.S. 17:81(Q).
(22) Vocational and technical education, R.S. 17:183.4.
(23) Inspection and operation of fire safety and prevention equipment, R.S. 17:81(S).
(24) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(25) Reporting by a school bus operator employed by the governing authority of a
public elementary or secondary school of his arrest for one or more of the specified offenses
relative to operating a vehicle, R.S. 17:491.3.
(26) School master plans for supporting student behavior and discipline, R.S. 17:252.
(27) Data collection system, R.S. 17:3911.
(28) Reporting by a school employee employed by the governing authority of a
public elementary or secondary school of his arrest for one or more of the specified offenses
relative to sexual morality affecting minors, R.S. 17:16, any of the crimes provided in R.S.
15:587.1, or any substantiated allegation of child abuse or neglect on file in the central
registry pursuant to Children's Code Article 615.
(29) Seclusion and physical restraint of students with exceptionalities, R.S.
17:416.21.
(30) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(31) Instruction on the Founding Principles of the United States of America in
American history and civics courses, R.S. 17:265.
(32) Procedures on bullying pursuant to R.S. 17:416.14.
(33) School crisis management and response plans, R.S. 17:416.16.
(34) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(35) Instruction and hotline number posting requirements relative to child assault
awareness and prevention, R.S. 17:81(Y).
(36) Deferred compensation plans, R.S. 17:81(Z).
(37) School bus loading and unloading provisions, R.S. 17:158(J).
(38) Student information, R.S. 17:3913 and 3914.
(39) Notification of homework assistance services, R.S. 17:182.1.
(40) Discipline of students, R.S. 17:416 and 416.2.
(41) Deaf Child's Bill of Rights, R.S. 17:1960.
(42) Instruction in cursive writing, R.S. 17:266.
(43) Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act, R.S. 17:221.7.
(44) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(45) Authorization to teach, R.S. 17:7(10).
(46) Criminal history review, R.S. 17:15.
(47) Immunization information, influenza, R.S. 17:170.5.
(48) Behavioral health services for students, R.S. 17:173.
(49) Administration of literacy screening and literacy screening reports, R.S. 17:182.
(50) Instruction in personal financial management, R.S. 17:270.
(51) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(52) Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools, R.S. 17:406.9.
(53) Threats of violence or terrorism, R.S. 17:409.1 et seq.
(54) Regulations for the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school
buses, R.S. 17:164.
(55) Student fees, R.S. 17:177.
(56) School supplies, R.S. 17:178.
(57) Youth suicide prevention programs, R.S. 17:282.4.
(58) Special education advisory councils, R.S. 17:1944.1.
(59) Quality early literacy initiative, R.S. 17:24.9.
(60) Early literacy instruction, R.S. 17:24.10.
(61) Early literacy professional development, R.S. 17:24.12.
(62) Expanded academic support, R.S. 17:100.13.
(63) Remote school registration and enrollment of children of military personnel
transferring to the state, R.S. 17:101.
(64) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(65) Cameras in special education classrooms, R.S. 17:1948.
(66) Learning pods, R.S. 17:4036.1.
(67) Students who are pregnant or parenting, R.S. 17:221.8.
(68),(69) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(70) Posting and distribution of information relative to parental rights, R.S. 17:354.
(71) Parental access to instructional materials, R.S. 17:355.
(72) Screening and intervention, R.S. 17:392.1.
(73) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(74) Voter registration, R.S. 17:2121.
(75) Numeracy professional development, R.S. 17:24.13.
(76) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
(77) Elective course on the history and literature of the Bible, R.S. 17:282.
(78) Dyslexia screening and reporting, R.S. 17:392.11.
(79) Carpool and bus line policies, R.S. 17:81(CC).
(80) Posting of public school governing authority fiscal information, R.S. 17:88.1.
(81) Flag and patriotic customs of the United States, R.S. 17:262.
(82) Child health and safety minimum standards, R.S. 17:407.41.
(83) Ten Commandments, displays, R.S. 17:2124.
(84) Computer Science; required instruction, R.S. 17:280.3.
(85) Sickle cell disease training for school nurses, R.S. 17:436.5.
(86) Uniform ten-point grading scale, R.S. 17:184.
(87) Names and pronouns, R.S. 17:2125.
(88) Requirements for participation in the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, R.S.
17:4037.1 et seq., if a charter school opts to participate in the program.
(89) Student records, R.S. 17:112.
(90) Mental health screenings, R.S. 17:416.24.
NOTE: Paragraph (B)(91) eff. upon an Act of the Louisiana Legislature containing a specific
appropriation of monies for the implementation of Act 425 of the 2025 Regular Session
becoming effective. See Acts 2025, No. 425.
(91) School mapping data, R.S. 17:416.16.1.
C.(1) A charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions
of this Chapter shall comply with state and federal laws and regulations otherwise applicable
to public schools with respect to civil rights and individuals with disabilities.
(2) A charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of
this Chapter shall accordingly recruit, employ, and train teachers, administrators, and other
employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Race, color,
religion, sex, and national origin shall not constitute bona fide occupational qualifications.
Proficiency in a foreign language may constitute a bona fide occupational qualification for
a teacher who spends more than half of his daily instruction time providing instruction in or
teaching in a foreign language.
D. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the provisions
of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the local school board in whose
jurisdiction the charter school is located shall apply to 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, except as otherwise provided for in the approved charter.
E. To graduate from a charter high school, pupils shall be able to demonstrate
competency in the content of every course required for high school graduation. The state
board shall provide by rule relative to a determination that such competencies have been
acquired. In addition, any examination required by the state board or by law as a requirement
for graduation from public high schools shall apply to pupils at charter high schools. Charter
schools choosing to have their students demonstrate course competencies in a manner
different from the traditional Carnegie unit approach where students take specific courses
shall describe in their charter proposal how the school plans to work with the public higher
education management boards regarding the acceptance by public institutions of higher
education of such competencies.
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a charter school
established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject
to appropriate financial audits in accordance with R.S. 24:513 et seq.
G. All charter schools established and operated in accordance with the provisions of
this Chapter shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 39:1301 through 1315. Each Type 1,
3, 3B, and 4 charter school annually shall submit its budget to the local school board that
approved its charter, and such board shall submit the charter school's budget to the state
superintendent of education in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 17:88. Each Type 2
and Type 5 charter school annually shall submit its budget directly to the state superintendent
of education.
H. In addition to the requirements of Subsection G of this Section, the State Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules and regulations for prescribing
forms and practices for budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, both interim and
annual, for Type 2 and Type 5 charter schools.

Legislative History

Acts 1997, No. 477, §1, eff. June 30, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 757, §1, eff. July 2, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 821, §1, eff. July 2, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 991, §1, eff. June 27, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 9, §1, eff. Nov. 6, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 381, §1; Acts 2009, No. 214, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 284, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 413, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 321, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 327, §§1, 2; Acts 2010, No. 533, §1, eff. June 24, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 756, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 267, §1, eff. June 28, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 328, §1, eff. June 29, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 2, §§1, 2; Acts 2012, No. 384, §1; Acts 2012, No. 393, §2; Acts 2012, No. 861, §1, eff. June 14, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 50, §1; Acts 2013, No. 330, §1; Acts 2014, No. 443, §1; Acts 2014, No. 517, §1; Acts 2014, No. 525, §1; Acts 2014, No. 547, §1, eff. June 9, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 654, §1; Acts 2014, No. 837, §1; Acts 2015, No. 228, §1, eff. June 23, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 239, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 248, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 250, §1; Acts 2016, No. 80, §2; Acts 2016, No. 234, §1; Acts 2016, No. 482, §1, eff. July 1, 2017; Acts 2016, No. 497, §1, eff. June 14, 2016; Acts 2016, No. 523, §1; Acts 2017, No. 72, §1, Acts 2017, No. 86, §1; Acts 2017, No. 266, §1; Acts 2017, No. 341, §1; Acts 2018, No. 154, §1; Acts 2018, No. 262, §1; Acts 2018, No. 300, §1; Acts 2018, No. 547, §1; Acts 2018, No. 634, §1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 688, §1; Acts 2018, No. 696, §1; Acts 2018, No. 716, §1; Acts 2019, No. 93, §1; Acts 2019, No. 240, §1; Acts 2019, No. 274, §1, eff. June 11, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 377, §1; Acts 2021, No. 108, §1, eff. June 4, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 208, §1, eff. June 11, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 294, §1; Acts 2021, No. 353, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 400, §1, eff. June 16, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 438, §1; Acts 2021, No. 456, §1, eff. June 23, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 473, §1; Acts 2022, No. 385, §1; Acts 2022, No. 466, §1; Acts 2022, No. 472, §2; Acts 2022, No. 622, §1; Acts 2022, No. 624, §1; Acts 2022, No. 650, §1; Acts 2022, No. 697, §1, eff. June 18, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 722, §3; Acts 2023, No. 180, §3; Acts 2023, No. 215, §2; Acts 2023, No. 260, §1, eff. June 12, 2023; Acts 2023, No. 264, §1; Acts 2023, No. 266, §1; Acts 2023, No. 362, §1; Acts 2023, No. 370, §2; Acts 2024, No. 1, §1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 211, §2; Acts 2024, No. 375, §1; Acts 2024, No. 428, §1; Acts 2024, No. 641, §1, eff. June 11, 2024 & §2, eff. Feb. 1, 2025; Acts 2024, No. 676, §1, eff. June 19, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 680, §3; Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 748, §1; Acts 2025, No. 181, §1; Acts 2025, No. 366, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 409, §3; Acts 2025, No. 425, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 449, §1; Acts 2025, No. 469, §2.