ENROLLED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 431
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 1025
BY REPRESENTATIVE POPE
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 37:1281.2, relative to the allied practitioner health program; to establish an2
annual assessment for the identification, monitoring, assistance, and procurement of3
treatment of medical psychologists, physician assistants, and podiatrists suffering4
from certain conditions; to provide for a self-reporting waiver applicable to a5
violation related to the individual's ability to practice his profession with reasonable6
skill and safety by reason of substance abuse or psychiatric condition; to extend7
protected actions and communications to certain enumerated individuals and entities;8
and to provide for related matters.9
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:10
Section 1. R.S. 37:1281.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 11
ยง1281.2. Allied practitioner health program; assessment, and self-reporting waiver;12
protected action and communication13
A. In addition to all other assessments attendant to the issuance, renewal, or14
reinstatement of a license, permit, certificate, or registration issued by the board15
pursuant to this Part, the board shall charge and collect an annual assessment of16
twenty-five dollars from each medical psychologist, physician assistant, and17
podiatrist to be utilized for the identification, monitoring, assistance, and18
procurement of treatment of medical psychologists, physician assistants, and19
podiatrists suffering from substance abuse, chemical dependency, psychiatric20
conditions, or physical deficiencies which may interfere with their ability to practice21
their profession with reasonable skill and safety. The assessment established in this22
Section shall be due at the time of application for the issuance, renewal, or23
reinstatement of a license, permit, certificate, or registration.24 ENROLLEDHB NO. 1025
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
B. With respect to any duty pursuant to this Part for a medical psychologist,1
physician assistant, or podiatrist to self-report a violation of his practice act to the2
board, either immediately or within a prescribed period of time of the occurrence, a3
report shall not be required if the violation relates to the individual's ability to4
practice his profession with reasonable skill and safety by reason of substance abuse5
or psychiatric condition, provided that since the occurrence the medical psychologist,6
physician assistant, or podiatrist has executed a monitoring agreement with an allied7
practitioner health program designated by the board and he is in full compliance with8
the terms and conditions of the agreement.9
C. The provisions of R.S. 37:1287 shall be equally applicable to any10
nonprofit corporation, foundation, or organization, and to any person who serves as11
a director, trustee, officer, employee, consultant, or attorney for or who otherwise12
works for or is associated with any nonprofit corporation, foundation, or13
organization, that enters into any agreement with the board related to the operation14
of any committee or program to identify, investigate, counsel, monitor, or assist a15
medical psychologist, physician assistant, or podiatrist who suffers or may suffer16
from alcohol or substance abuse or a physical or mental condition, which could17
compromise his ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients, for18
any investigation, action, report, recommendation, decision, or opinion undertaken,19
performed, or made in connection with or on behalf of such committee or program,20
without malice and in the reasonable belief that such investigation, action, report,21
recommendation, decision, or opinion was warranted. 22
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: