SPONSOR: Doll
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this bill requires that all schools, public, private, parochial, or parish, conduct a hearing screening for any student enrolled for the first time in kindergarten or 1st grade.
Schools must provide notice to parents before August 1st of each school year and hearing screenings must occur before November 1st. If hearing tests reveal a need for special education services additional assessments shall be conducted. Parents may present a certificate by a licensed physician in place of the required hearing test.
The bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop a model hearing screening program and schools must adopt or adapt such hearing screening program policy.
Statutes affected: