House Bill No. 486, introduced by Representative Fisher, mandates that public schools in Louisiana offer mental health assessments to students in grades four through twelve at the beginning of each school year. The assessments must be conducted by a licensed behavioral health provider and require the authorization of the student's parent or legal guardian. This initiative aims to enhance mental health services for students and ensure that they have access to necessary support.

The bill enacts a new section, R.S. 17:173.1, which specifies that these mental health assessments should be made available within the first ninety days of the school year. This legislative measure reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in educational settings and seeks to provide students with the resources they need to thrive academically and emotionally.