RDCSB121 2709 5650
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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)]
Morrell SB No. 121
Present law defines "marriage and family therapy" to mean the professional application of
psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the assessment and
treatment of individuals, couples, and families.
Proposed law amends present law and defines "marriage and family therapy" to mean the
professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques
in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral
disorders in an individual and relational disorders in couples and families.
Present law defines "practice of marriage and family therapy" to mean the rendering of
professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families,
singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or
through either public or private organizations for a fee, monetary or otherwise.
Proposed law amends present law and defines "practice of marriage and family therapy" to
mean the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy and psychotherapy services,
limited to prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral,
relational, and addiction disorders to individuals, couples, and families, singly or in groups,
whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through either public or
private organizations for a fee, monetary or otherwise in accordance with professional
training as provided pursuant to present law and code of ethics/behavior involving the
application of principles, methods, or procedures of the marriage and family therapy
profession.
Present law provides for the licensure of marriage and family therapist.
Proposed law, effective Jan 1, 2018, requires any licensed marriage and family therapist who
engages in the diagnosis of individuals to furnish satisfactory evidence to the La. Licensed
Professional Counselors Board of Examiners ("board") that he has completed the standard
training in the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and
a minimum of six credit hours in diagnostic psychopathology, where students are taught to
systematically collect and analyze data based on one or both of the two standard diagnostic
systems employed, International Classification of Diseases, current revision, or the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, current edition. Proposed law
provides that licensed marriage and family therapists who have satisfied all other criteria for
licensure as required by the board shall be allowed to diagnose individuals upon
demonstration of competency through continuing education or other measures as defined by
the board.
Proposed law provides that nothing shall be construed to authorize any person licensed under
the provisions of present law to assess, diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual
suffering from a serious mental illness, as defined in present law, when medication may be
indicated, except when a licensed marriage and family therapist, in accordance with best
practices, consults and collaborates with a practitioner who holds a license or permit with
the La. State Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed
by the La. State Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 37:1103(6) and (9); enacts R.S. 37:1116(E) and (F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate RDCSB121 2709 5650
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Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs to the original bill
1. Adds requirements that marriage and family therapists must comply with in
order to engage in the diagnosis of individuals.
2. Provides for continuing education for marriage and family therapists.
3. Provides for an exception to the prohibition of a marriage and family
therapist assessing, diagnosing, or providing treatment to any individual
suffering from a serious mental illness.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Changes certain training and continuing education requirements that licensed
marriage and family therapists must comply with in order to engage in the
diagnosis of individuals.
2. Makes technical changes.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
reengrossed bill.
1. Deletes provision authorizing licensed marriage and family therapists who have
satisfied all other criteria for licensure as required by the La. Licensed
Professional Counselors Board of Examiners ("board") on Aug. 1, 2014, to
diagnose individuals upon completion of the continuing education requirements
provided in proposed law. Adds in lieu thereof a provision authorizing licensed
marriage and family therapists who have satisfied all other criteria for licensure
as required by the board to diagnose individuals upon demonstration of
competency through continuing education or other measures as defined by the
board.