The bill enacts R.S. 17:416.23, which mandates that local public school boards in Louisiana adopt a program aimed at addressing the behavioral and emotional challenges faced by students. By thirty days before the start of the 2024-2025 school year, each school board is required to implement rules and regulations that assist school personnel in identifying students at risk of behavioral issues that could lead to aggression, disciplinary actions, or juvenile delinquency. The program must also designate a specific employee at each school to identify available mental health support services and facilitate referrals for assessment and treatment.

Additionally, the bill outlines a process for addressing students who have been suspended twice in a school year. In such cases, the principal and the designated employee must consult to determine if the behavior is linked to behavioral or emotional challenges. If so, they are required to schedule a conference with the student's parent or guardian to discuss the situation and potential support services. Furthermore, school boards must report annually to the state Department of Education and legislative committees on the number of students identified with such challenges, the conferences held, and the referrals made for assessment and treatment, thereby enabling the evaluation of behavioral health service needs across the state.