CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Adds certain school employees to the definition of "educator" relative to prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Caleb Kleinpeter

SB 98 expands who is considered an educator to include SROs and security guards, extending prohibitions on sexual conduct with students to more school personnel.

Effective date 8/1/2026.

Purpose and Intent

SB 98 proposes a targeted expansion of the existing prohibition on sexual conduct between an educator and a student. The bill adds additional school personnel to the legal definition of “educator” for purposes of offenses affecting public morals, ensuring that more individuals working within a school setting are subject to the same strict prohibitions and penalties as traditional educators.

Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Key Provisions

Amendment to the statute: Amends and reenacts Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:81.4(B)(1), which concerns prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

Expanded definition of “educator”: The definition now includes:

School Resource Officers (SROs)
Security guards
The existing categories (administrator, coach, instructor, paraprofessional, student aide, teacher, and teacher aide)
All individuals at public or private schools who are assigned, employed, or working at the school or school system where the student is enrolled, regardless of full-time, part-time, or temporary status.

Scope of conduct: The expansion preserves the current prohibitions on sexual conduct between an educator and a student; it simply broadens who is covered under the “educator” umbrella.

Affected Parties

School employees and personnel: SROs, security guards, and other listed staff at public or private schools who interact with students.

Students: The protections apply to students enrolled in the school or school system where the educator is employed or assigned.

Schools and districts: School systems must recognize the expanded definition for compliance with the statute and related disciplinary or reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Effective date: August 1, 2026, meaning the expanded definition and its legal implications take effect on that date.

Status: The bill passed through committee and both chambers with the language as described; it was reported without legislative bureau amendments and moved to the House prior to enactment.

Practical Implications

The bill heightens accountability by extending the prohibition to SROs and security personnel, potentially increasing reporting, investigation, and disciplinary actions for offenses involving students.

Schools may need to review and adjust policies, training, and oversight to ensure that all personnel who meet the expanded definition are subject to the same prohibitions and sanction processes as traditional educators.

The change strengthens protections for students by closing gaps where certain school staff could previously be exempt from “educator” status in the context of inappropriate conduct.

In sum, SB 98 broadens who counts as an “educator” for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, specifically adding school resource officers and security guards, while preserving existing law and penalties.

Bill