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HLS 26RS-2452 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1203
BY REPRESENTATIVES EDMONSTON, BROUSSARD, CARLSON, CARPENTER,
CARVER, MARTINEZ, OWEN, TARVER, AND TAYLOR
EDUCATION: Provides relative to parent-driven learning cooperatives
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 17:236.4, relative to associations of parents; to prohibit restricting the use of
3 a home or commercial establishment by parents participating in a parent-driven
4 learning cooperative under certain circumstances; to define parent-driven learning
5 cooperative; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; and
6 to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. The legislature finds all of the following:
9 (1) Parent-driven learning cooperatives operate as voluntary associations of parents
10 who choose to come together for the purpose of educating their children, and such
11 associations are protected by parental rights and the freedom of association.
12 (2) The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that children have access to
13 educational opportunities while also respecting the rights of parents to select and participate
14 in educational environments that best serve their children.
15 (3) Parent-driven learning cooperatives are intended solely to provide additional
16 educational opportunities and support services for parents who choose educational options
17 for their children that are conducted in nontraditional educational settings.
18 (4) The purpose of this Act is to protect the freedom of parents to form and
19 participate in associations that educate their children and ensure that state law does not
20 unduly restrict parental choice in education.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2452 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1203
1 Section 2. R.S. 17:236.4 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
2 §236.4. Parent-driven learning cooperatives
3 A. If a building used as a home or commercial establishment has met the
4 requirements for occupancy and has received a certification of occupancy or an
5 occupancy license for the use of the building, the government shall not restrict or
6 deny the use of the building by parents who are participating in a parent-driven
7 learning cooperative.
8 B. As used in this Section, "parent-driven learning cooperative" means a
9 deliberately small learning environment that meets all of the following requirements:
10 (1) It is a nonpublic educational association between parents and tutors or
11 instructors that personalizes the learning experience for each student.
12 (2) Students in multiple grade levels participate for part or all of the school
13 week.
14 (3) Instruction occurs in a home, community space, library, learning center,
15 or other nontraditional educational setting.
16 C. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to modify, supersede, or
17 otherwise affect the laws governing religious educational programs conducted in
18 churches or other religious institutions as provided in R.S. 13:5233.1.
19 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
20 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
21 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
22 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
23 effective on the day following such approval.
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 1203 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Edmonston
Abstract: Provides relative to parent-driven learning cooperatives.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2452 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1203
Proposed law provides the following:
(1) If a building used as a home or commercial establishment has met the requirements
for occupancy and has received a certification of occupancy or an occupancy license
for the use of the building, the government shall not restrict or deny the use of the
building by parents who are participating in a parent-driven learning cooperative.
(2) Defines "parent-driven learning cooperative" as a deliberately small learning
environment that meets all of the following requirements:
(a) It is a nonpublic educational association between parents and tutors or
instructors that personalizes the learning experience for each student.
(b) Students in multiple grade levels participate for part or all of the school
week.
(c) Instruction occurs in a home, community space, library, learning center, or
other nontraditional educational setting.
(3) Parent-driven learning cooperatives are intended solely to provide additional
educational opportunities and support services for parents who choose educational
options for their children that are conducted in nontraditional educational settings.
(4) Nothing in proposed law shall be construed to modify, supersede, or otherwise affect
the laws governing religious educational programs conducted in churches or other
religious institutions as provided in present law (R.S. 13:5233.1).
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:236.4)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.