Education (Student Health)

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 482: SCHOOLS: Provides for career coaches to assist public middle and high school students and their parents in developing an individualized graduation plan for each student. (8/1/26)

This bill authorizes the use of career coaches alongside school counselors to help public middle and high school students and their parents create personalized graduation plans. The law establishes that these professionals can work together or independently to guide students through their educational goals. By adding career coaches to the list of eligible advisors, the measure expands the support options available to students without changing the core requirement of developing an individualized plan.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational support by authorizing career coaches to assist students in creating personalized graduation plans, enhancing student guidance and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Student Health

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 28: NURSES: Creates the Task Force on School Nurse Orientation

This bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to improve school nurse training, enhancing student health support and educational environment in K-12 schools85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to improve school nurse training and orientation, strengthening healthcare access and quality in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1022: HEALTH/SCHOOL CLINICS: Provides relative to health services provided to students (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana public schools to allow behavioral health and primary care providers to deliver medically necessary services to students during school hours if a parent or guardian requests them. It mandates that school districts create policies permitting these services without creating barriers, while clarifying that schools are not required to establish or fund such clinics. Key provisions include insurance requirements for providers, criminal background checks for staff, and rules ensuring parents can choose their own providers without school interference. The legislation also establishes that these services do not count as special education evaluations and outlines procedures for scheduling care around academic activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to health services for students in K-12 schools, supporting student well-being and educational access without requiring school funding.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands student access to behavioral health and primary care services in schools, removing barriers to medically necessary care while clarifying funding responsibilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1150: STUDENTS: Requires the administration of trauma screenings to public school students (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana public schools to administer trauma screenings to all students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade each school year. The Louisiana Department of Health will select and provide a screening tool to each school board to facilitate these assessments. The legislation directly affects public school administrators, teachers, and students by mandating regular mental health evaluations. Schools must implement this screening process as part of their standard operations without additional funding specified in the text.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates trauma screenings to support student mental health and well-being in K-12 education, enhancing student programs and educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates trauma screenings in schools, directly supporting mental health services and student well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 392: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to requirements for posting suicide hotline information on school websites and student ID cards

HB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide hotline info on school sites/IDs, enhancing student safety programs within K-12 schools per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide hotline access on school websites/ID cards, directly supporting mental health services by improving student access to crisis resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 572: SCHOOLS: Creates the Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program (OR +$201,705 GF EX See Note)

HB 572 creates Louisiana's Resilient Youth and Trauma-Informed Schools Grant Pilot Program to support public schools with 60% or more students eligible for free/reduced lunch. The program provides grants for schools to hire counselors/social workers, train staff in trauma-informed practices, implement social-emotional learning curricula, and establish community mentorship networks. Participating schools must collaborate with Louisiana universities to track attendance, discipline, and mental health outcomes, reporting annually to the Department of Education. The program requires legislative funding and will generate annual reports for the legislature on results and recommendations. This pilot aims to improve student well-being through evidence-based school-based support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grants for counselors, trauma training, and social-emotional curricula in high-need schools, directly advancing student mental health and support services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school mental health services via grants for counselors, trauma training, and SEL programs, directly supporting mental health access in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 395: SCHOOLS: Requires the state Department of Education to create a program to recruit, hire, and retain mental health professionals (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 395 requires Louisiana's Department of Education to create a program recruiting, hiring, and retaining mental health professionals - including counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and behavioral health specialists - in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates the department to aim for a ratio of one mental health professional per 250 students across all public schools. Implementation depends on future legislative funding, as Section 2 states the program becomes effective only after a specific appropriation is approved. This directly affects Louisiana's public schools and their ability to support student mental health needs through staff expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates future state funding for mental health programs in schools, requiring budget allocation to implement the program, aligning with funding essential services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health professional staffing ratio (1:250 students) to enhance student support services in public schools, directly advancing educational access and student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates recruitment of mental health professionals in schools to achieve 1:250 ratio, directly supporting mental health services access for students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates state program to recruit/retain mental health professionals in schools, creating new employment opportunities and addressing workforce needs in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 218: SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs, addressing a key barrier to student learning and educational access in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires school food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs/public assistance, addressing a social determinant of health and supporting public health initiatives as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Primary Care

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 269: SCHOOLS/FOOD PROGRAMS: Creates and provides for the Free School Breakfast Program to be administered by the state Department of Education (OR INCREASE SG EX See Note)

HB 269 creates Louisiana's Free School Breakfast Program, requiring the state Department of Education to administer it and provide free breakfasts to all students in participating public schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. School districts must participate in the federal School Breakfast Program and use the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to maximize funding, ensuring all students receive breakfast at no cost daily. The program funds breakfasts through reimbursement based on the difference between federal USDA payments and the annual free-rate set by the USDA. It directly affects Louisiana public school students in districts meeting federal eligibility criteria and requires school districts to adopt CEP to qualify for state funding. Implementation depends on legislative appropriation of funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates mandatory free breakfast program for all students in public schools, expanding access and using federal funding to ensure no cost, directly supporting educational access and student nutrition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 352: STUDENTS: Provides relative to behavioral health services for public school students (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 352 requires Louisiana public school districts to create and publish policies enabling behavioral health services for students during school hours. It allows services in classrooms during instructional time (including core subjects) if parents provide a provider-approved evaluation and treatment plan showing medical necessity, with in-person supervision by certified behavior analysts required. The bill defines key terms like "medically necessary services" and mandates that schools collaborate with providers to schedule services without disrupting school operations or testing. It directly affects public school students needing behavioral health support, their parents, school administrators, and behavioral health providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires behavioral health services during school hours, enhancing student support and access to mental health care within educational settings.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school policies for behavioral health services during school hours, improving student mental health access and aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health