DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Miller HB No. 190
Abstract: Removes a nepotism exception relative to contracting with and employment of
immediate family members by hospital service districts and hospital public trust
authorities in a parish with a population of between 400,000 and 440,000 persons.
Present law (R.S. 42:1119—Code of Governmental Ethics) relative to nepotism prohibits a
governmental entity from employing an immediate family member of a member of a governing
authority or of the chief executive of the governmental entity. Provides an exception for any
hospital service district with a population of 100,000 persons or less or hospital public trust
authority located in such a district. Provides that such a district or authority may enter into an
initial recruiting contract with or employ as a health care provider, a licensed physician, a
registered nurse, or an allied health professional who is a member of the immediate family of any
district board, authority, or parish governing authority member or of the chief executive of the
district or authority if such family member is the only qualified applicant who has applied for the
position after it has been advertised as provided by present law. Present law provides an
additional substantially similar exception applicable in hospital service districts in a parish with a
population of between 400,000 and 440,000 persons and to hospital public trust authorities
located in such districts; however, this exception provides that the immediate family member
must merely be a qualified applicant, not the only qualified applicant. Present law requires
recusal from decisions involving the promotion, discipline, discharge, or assignment of any such
employee and annual disclosure of the facts of such employment.
Proposed law removes the exception applicable in hospital service districts in a parish with a
population of between 400,000 and 440,000 persons and to hospital public trust authorities
located in such districts; otherwise retains present law.
(Repeals R.S. 42:1119(B)(2)(b)(ii))