The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cathy R. Wells.
DIGEST
Present law authorizes any parish coroner or judge of a court of competent jurisdiction to order a
person to be taken into protective custody and transported to a treatment facility or to the office
of the coroner for immediate examination when a peace officer or other credible person executes
a statement under private signature specifying that, to the best of his knowledge and belief and
personal observations, the person is mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and is in need
of immediate treatment to protect the person or others from physical harm.
Proposed law retains present law and further authorizes the statement to be made by video
conferencing if the affiant is located in Kenner, Jean Lafitte, or Grand Isle and the signature of
the affiant is witnessed on the video and immediately faxed to the coroner's office at the
conclusion of the interview.
Effective Aug. 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 28:53.3)