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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, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 185
BY SENATOR MILLS
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 28:53(F), relative to emergency certificates; to provide for the2
use of a copy of the emergency certificate transmitted by facsimile or other3
electronic device; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 28:53(F) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง53. Admission by emergency certificate; extension7
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F. An emergency certificate shall constitute legal authority to transport a9
patient to a treatment facility and shall permit the director of such treatment facility10
to detain the patient for diagnosis and treatment for a period not to exceed fifteen11
days, and to return the patient to the facility if he is absent with or without12
permission during authorized periods of detention. If necessary, peace officers shall13
apprehend and transport, or ambulance services, under appropriate circumstances,14
may locate and transport, a patient on whom an emergency certificate has been15
completed to a treatment facility at the request of either the director of the facility,16
the certifying physician, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or psychologist,17
the patient's next of kin, the patient's curator, or the agency legally responsible for18
his welfare. In the case of an emergency certificate issued pursuant to an examination19
conducted by telemedicine pursuant to Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, or where20
the valid original is not provided to the transporter, a copy transmitted by21
facsimile or other electronic device shall be sufficient authority for the peace officer22
or ambulance worker to transport the patient to a treatment facility and for the23
director to accept such patient. The psychiatrist shall cause the original certificate to24
be deposited in the United States mail properly addressed to the director of the25
treatment facility by the next business day following the date of examination. The26
director of the treatment facility shall notify the patient's nearest relative, if known,27
ACT No. 685 SB NO. 185 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
or designated responsible party, if any, in writing, of the patient's admission by1
emergency certificate as soon as reasonably possible.2
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PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: