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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 216
BY SENATOR MILLS
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 37:1103(7) and (12)(e), relative to mental health counselors; to2
provide with respect to certain definitions for the Mental Health Counselors3
Licensing Act; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 37:1103(7) and (12)(e) are hereby amended and reenacted to read6
as follows: 7
ยง1103. Definitions8
* * *9
(7) "Mental health counseling services" means rendering or offering10
prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, which includes psychotherapy, of11
mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups,12
organizations, or the general public by a licensed professional counselor, which that13
is consistent with his professional training as prescribed by R.S. 37:1107(A)(8), and14
code of ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or15
procedures of the mental health counseling profession. However, nothing in this16
Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person licensed under the provisions of17
this Chapter to assess, diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual suffering18
from a serious mental illness, as defined by this Section, when medication may be19
indicated, unless that individual is under the active care of except when a licensed20
professional counselor, in accordance with industry best practices, consults and21
collaborates with a practitioner who is licensed by holds a license or permit with22
the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice23
registered nurse licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing who is24
certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and is authorized to prescribe25
medications in the management of psychiatric illness, and only in the context of an26
ACT No. 636 SB NO. 216 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
ongoing consultation and collaboration with that practitioner. Moreover, except as1
provided in this Section, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any2
person licensed hereunder to administer or interpret tests in accordance with the3
provisions of R.S. 37:2352(5), except as provided by Title 46, Part LXIII, Chapter4
17, Section 1702(E) of the Louisiana Administrative Code, or engage in the practice5
of psychology or to prescribe, either orally or in writing, distribute, dispense, or6
administer any medications.7
* * *8
(12) "Serious mental illness" means any of the following diagnoses:9
* * *10
(e) Major depressive disorder-moderate to severe.11
* * *12
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not13
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature14
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If15
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become16
effective on the day following such approval.17
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: