HB 1249: HEALTH/SCHOOL CLINICS: Provides relative to school-based health center services provided to students (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX) - Louisiana

HB1249 Original → HB1249 Act 962 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was enacted into law as Act 962, shifting from a draft proposal to a final legislative act. The core policy changes include clarifying that schools are not required to establish health centers, redefining 'medically necessary' services based on professional judgment rather than school approval, and explicitly prohibiting schools from requiring additional background checks for licensed healthcare providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified to apply to school-based health centers on any public school campus, while explicitly stating that public schools are not required to establish or provide these services.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement for school administrators to prohibit students from accessing medically necessary services if consent is given, clarifying that access cannot be blocked.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the rule regarding background checks; licensed healthcare providers who have already passed a state criminal background check are no longer required to complete an additional one for school-based work.

Added a provision stating that the failure of a school to adopt a specific policy does not prevent a student from receiving authorized health services.

Clarified that school employees who are not licensed healthcare providers cannot determine whether a student needs an evaluation or treatment.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'medically necessary' to rely on the healthcare provider's professional judgment and accepted medical standards, rather than requiring school approval for the determination of need.

Added a new definition for 'School-based health center services' to include various delivery models like fixed-site clinics and mobile units.

HB1249 Enrolled → HB1249 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from an enrolled version to an original draft and expanded its scope to require the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt specific rules. The most significant policy change is the removal of a restriction that previously allowed school-based health centers to operate during instructional time only with parental request; the new text permits services during any part of the school day, including core subjects like English and math, to assist students with health conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general authorization for school-based health centers to a mandate requiring the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt implementing rules.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt rules in consultation with certain entities.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the timing of services to allow them during any part of the school day, including instructional time in core subjects, rather than requiring parental request for during-school access.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the definitions section to clarify that 'medically necessary' is determined by the healthcare provider or third-party payor.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Enrolled' status and replaced it with 'Original' draft status, indicating this is a working version of the legislation.

HB1249 Reengrossed → HB1249 Enrolled · 3 edits · May 31, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, removing the original document identifier and streamlining the header. Substantively, the text was reorganized to clarify that healthcare providers do not need to undergo duplicate criminal background checks if they are already in good standing with their licensing board. It also explicitly states that school employees cannot determine if a student needs medical care, reserving that decision solely for licensed healthcare providers.

Scope change

The scope of applicability remains focused on school-based health centers, but the operational rules for providers and schools were refined to reduce administrative barriers and clarify professional boundaries.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for healthcare providers to complete an additional criminal background check if they are already licensed and in good standing with their board.

Explicitly prohibited school employees from deciding whether a student requires evaluation or treatment, ensuring only licensed healthcare providers make that determination.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the document structure and removed the 'REENGROSSED' identifier to finalize the bill as 'ENROLLED'.

HB1249 Engrossed → HB1249 Reengrossed · 4 edits · May 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to clarify its applicability and strengthen protections for students accessing school-based health services. The most significant change is the addition of a requirement for schools to adopt a specific policy that prevents 'onerous requirements' for healthcare providers, such as mandating duplicate criminal background checks. The text was also reorganized to improve clarity on how services can be delivered during instructional time and to explicitly define terms like 'healthcare provider' and 'medically necessary'.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified by explicitly stating that the law applies to services provided on school campuses through various provider arrangements, while simultaneously confirming that schools are not required to establish these services themselves.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for public school governing authorities to adopt a policy that prohibits imposing additional criminal background checks on healthcare providers who have already passed one.

Reorganized and expanded the policy requirements to explicitly allow services during instructional time if medically necessary and to mandate collaborative scheduling between schools and healthcare providers.

SCOPE

Modified the introductory language to explicitly state that schools are not required to establish or provide school-based health center services, clarifying the bill's applicability to existing arrangements.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'healthcare provider' and 'medically necessary' to ensure consistent interpretation of the law.

HEALTH/SCHOOL CLINICS: Provides relative to school-based health center services provided to students (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

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