LA HB218

Local public school boards must establish food insecurity screening programs for students in grades K-12, administered at initial enrollment and once per semester thereafter, as well as during school-based health clinic visits.

Students identified as at-risk for food insecurity must be referred to community resources including school meal programs, local food banks, public assistance application information, and social services.

Screening results are confidential, with disclosure limited to parents/legal guardians, students who have reached age of majority or are emancipated, and authorized school personnel implementing referral procedures.

The Louisiana Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, must select an age-appropriate screening tool available at no cost to the state or school boards.

School employees are prohibited from using screening results to make decisions about student instruction, academic opportunities, or discipline, and the requirements apply to all public schools including charter schools.