EDUCATION: Provides relative to learning pods in public school systems

HLS 26RS-2438 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1110
BY REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS
EDUCATION: Provides relative to learning pods in public school systems
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:4036.1(A), relative to elementary and secondary education;
3 to provide relative to learning pods; to provide relative to the duties and authority of
4 public school governing authorities relative to learning pods; to provide limitations
5 on the establishment of learning pods; to provide for exceptions; to provide relative
6 to the assignment of students to learning pods; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 17:4036.1(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §4036.1. Learning pods
10 A.(1) Each public school governing authority may establish learning pods
11 as an extension of any school under its jurisdiction. For purposes of this Chapter,
12 "learning pod" means a group of at least ten students enrolled in the school who
13 receive instruction in a small group setting.
14 (2)(a) Except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, each
15 learning pod shall be located within the geographic boundaries of the public school
16 system in which the school is physically located.
17 (b) The provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not apply to
18 a learning pod established prior to August 1, 2026. However, no additional students
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HLS 26RS-2438 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1110
1 shall be assigned to a learning pod that does not comply with the provisions of
2 Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.
3 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1110 Original 2026 Regular Session Adams
Abstract: Requires public school learning pods established after a certain date to be located
within the geographic boundaries of the public school system in which the school is
physically located and provides certain limitations for learning pods that do not meet
this requirement.
Present law (R.S. 17:4036.1) authorizes each public school governing authority to establish
learning pods as an extension of any school under its jurisdiction. Provides that "learning
pod" means a group of at least 10 students enrolled in the school who receive instruction in
a small group setting.
Proposed law requires each learning pod to be located within the geographic boundaries of
the public school system in which the school is physically located. Provides, however, that
proposed law does not apply to a learning pod established prior to August 1, 2026, but that
no additional students shall be assigned to a learning pod that does not comply with
proposed law. Otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that a student shall be assigned to a learning pod only if the assignment
is requested by his parent or authorized by his parent upon the recommendation of school
officials. Requires all instruction provided to students assigned to learning pods to be
provided by teachers on the staff of the school who meet all qualifications and are subject
to all requirements applicable to teachers at the school who are not assigned to a learning
pod. Provides that students assigned to a learning pod shall be counted among the
enrollment of the public school governing authority for purposes of full funding through the
minimum foundation program formula, subject to all requirements applicable to students
enrolled in the school who are not assigned to a learning pod, and eligible for participation
in all services and activities for which they would be eligible if not assigned to a learning
pod.
Present law provides that the establishment of learning pods shall be subject to policies and
procedures adopted by a public school governing authority, which, at a minimum, shall
provide for the following:
(1) The student population of the learning pod, which may be a blended population of
students of different grade levels.
(2) The method of instruction for the learning pod, which may occur in-person at a
physical location on the school campus, remotely through virtual instruction, or
through a hybrid approach that combines both methods.
(3) Any specialized curriculum or program provided in the learning pod.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HLS 26RS-2438 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1110
(4) The process for a parent to request student assignment to a learning pod, grant
authorization for a student's assignment to a learning pod if recommended by school
officials, and withdraw a student from a learning pod.
Present law specifies that it does not apply to or have any effect on any learning pod or other
group of students that is formed and operated by parents, regardless of whether they are
enrolled in a public school or a nonpublic school or participating in a home study program.
Proposed law retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:4036.1(A))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.