§ 17:416.23 — Behavioral or emotional challenges; referral for assessment and treatment;

Louisiana § 17:416.23

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 17: Credit Union Law

Text

§416.23. Behavioral or emotional challenges; referral for assessment and treatment;
reporting
A. Except as provided in R.S. 17:173, not later than thirty days prior to the beginning
of the 2024-2025 school year, each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt
rules and regulations and implement a program to:
(1) Assist school personnel in identifying signs and symptoms of a student with
behavioral or emotional challenges that may cause the student to be at risk of their behavior
escalating into aggression or disruption, disciplinary actions including suspension or
expulsion, or juvenile delinquency.
(2) Designate a specific employee at each school who shall be responsible for
identifying behavioral and mental health support services available in the community, and
when appropriate, facilitating a referral to those services for assessment and treatment,
including services provided through the Louisiana Coordinated System of Care and its
Medicaid provider network.
(3)(a) Require that after any second suspension of a student during the same school
year, the principal or his designee and the employee designated pursuant to Paragraph (2) of
this Subsection shall consult on whether the student's behavior could be attributable to
behavioral or emotional challenges.
(b) Require that if it is determined that the behavior is attributable to behavioral or
emotional challenges and rises to the level that supportive services could be beneficial, the
principal or his designee and the employee designated pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this
Subsection shall schedule a conference with the student's parent or legal guardian to discuss
the student's behavior and counseling as well as the referral of the student and family to
support services for assessment and treatment.
B. A city, parish, or other local public school board shall report to the state
Department of Education and the House and Senate committees on education the number of
students identified as possibly having behavioral or emotional challenges, the number of
students for which a conference was scheduled, and the number of students referred for
assessment and supportive services pursuant to this Section. The reports shall be submitted
annually on July first and shall reflect data from the previous school year. The reports may
be used to evaluate needs and capacity for behavioral health services throughout the state.

Legislative History

Acts 2024, No. 324, §1.