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Bill

HB 218

SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Delisha Boyd and 24 co-sponsors

Louisiana schools must screen public students for food insecurity to identify and connect hungry children with nutritional assistance programs.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 218

Legislative bill overview

HB 218 would require Louisiana public schools to administer food insecurity screenings to students to identify those experiencing hunger or inadequate access to food. The bill establishes a mechanism for schools to systematically assess student food needs, presumably to connect them with existing assistance programs like free/reduced lunch, SNAP, or other resources.

Why is this important

Food insecurity directly impacts student academic performance, attendance, and health outcomes. Early identification allows schools to connect vulnerable students with nutritional support and social services, potentially addressing a significant barrier to educational success. This is particularly relevant in Louisiana, which has higher poverty rates than the national average.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Schools may lack resources, staff training, or funding to conduct comprehensive screenings across all students without additional appropriations
  • Privacy concerns: Collecting food insecurity data raises questions about data privacy, family confidentiality, and potential stigmatization of identified students
  • Scope of responsibility: Whether schools should take on social services screening roles traditionally managed by separate agencies, or if this duplicates existing assessment mechanisms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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