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HB 649

HIGHER EDUCATION: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Brass

Creates a single statewide dual enrollment application process requiring public colleges to participate and sets a uniform tuition rate across boards.

Effective date: See Act.
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Bill Summary · HB 649

Legislative Bill Summary – HB 649 (2026) – Louisiana

Title

Higher Education: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

Purpose and Intent

  • To create a uniform, statewide application process for high school students seeking to participate in dual enrollment programs.
  • To standardize participation across public postsecondary institutions and coordinate implementation through the Board of Regents and public postsecondary education management boards.
  • To enhance access, efficiency, and potential cost savings for dual enrollment opportunities.

Key Provisions

  1. Establishment of a statewide application process

    • The Board of Regents, in coordination with Louisiana public postsecondary education institutions, must establish and administer a uniform, statewide application process for high school students seeking dual enrollment.

  2. Mandatory participation by public postsecondary institutions

    • Every public postsecondary education institution must participate in the statewide application process, unless the institution provides written notice of non-participation to its managing board.

  3. Role of management boards

    • Each public postsecondary education management board, in coordination with the Board of Regents, shall develop institutional implementation plans to improve student access, efficiency, and cost savings.
    • Plans must include rules for notice of non-participation and re-entry into participation.

  4. Administration of grants and related rules

    • The Board of Regents, in consultation with the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, will manage grants related to dual enrollment (including application requirements, evaluation criteria, and selection).

  5. Local articulation/transfer agreements

    • The bill does not prohibit city, parish, or other local public school boards from developing/interacting with interinstitutional articulation and transfer agreements with public postsecondary institutions for dual enrollment.

  6. Tuition rate (Senate amendment)

    • Each public postsecondary management board must adopt a standard uniform dual enrollment tuition rate for academic and all dual enrollment coursework.

Affected Parties

  • Louisiana Board of Regents
    • Responsible for establishing and administering the statewide application process and managing related grants.
  • Public postsecondary education institutions (colleges/universities)
    • Required to participate in the statewide application process (unless opt-out with notice), and to implement the process at the institutional level.
  • Public postsecondary education management boards
    • To coordinate with the Board of Regents on implementation plans and adopt a uniform dual enrollment tuition rate.
  • State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
    • Consulted in the development of rules and administration of the dual enrollment grant program.
  • Local school districts and school boards
    • May continue or develop articulation/transfer agreements with public postsecondary institutions in relation to dual enrollment.

Timeline and Implementation

  • Effective implementation target: No later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.
  • Requires initial and ongoing rulemaking and coordination among the Board of Regents, management boards, and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • The bill includes reporting and notice provisions for institutions choosing non-participation.

Practical Implications

  • Creates a single statewide application to streamline dual enrollment entry for high school students.
  • Aims to reduce redundancy and confusion across institutions by standardizing requirements.
  • Establishes a uniform tuition framework to be adopted by each management board, affecting costs for students and districts.
  • Balances statewide coordination with local flexibility through possible non-participation notices and existing articulation agreements.

Key Dates from Current Text

  • Effective implementation target: Beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.
  • 2026 actions noted: Rules suspended; bill reported with amendments; floor action and sponsor details provided.

If you’d like, I can extract specific sections to compare with current law or draft a plain-language FAQ for students and parents.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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