This bill enacts a new section, R.S. 39:82.3, which mandates the reporting of federal and state funds allocated for mental health services across various state agencies and school systems in Louisiana. The division of administration is required to submit an annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget detailing the funds spent by each state agency on mental health services. This report, known as the Mental Health Funding Transparency Report, must include specific information such as budget units, program descriptions, funding sources, services provided, and demographic data, including the number of individuals with disabilities. Notably, this reporting requirement does not apply to the state Department of Education.

Additionally, the state Department of Education is tasked with creating and submitting its own report, the Mental Health Funding Transparency in Elementary and Secondary Education Report, which will cover funding for mental health services in traditional public schools, charter schools, and nonpublic schools. This report must also be submitted to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and include similar information as the report from the division of administration. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget is granted the authority to conduct studies and hearings to review the allocation of funds as outlined in these reports. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.