The original instrument was prepared by Julie J. Baxter. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Nevers (SB 539)
Proposed law provides that suicide assessment, intervention, treatment, and management training
may be included within the existing continuing education requirements for certain professionals
licensed in Louisiana.
Proposed law provides that, beginning January 1, 2015, the Department of Health and Hospitals
(DHH) shall offer each of the following professional certified, licensed, or registered in
Louisiana access to certain training in suicide assessment, intervention, treatment, and
management through posting links to such training on the department's official website:
(1)A mental health counselor certified or licensed under R.S. 37:1101, et seq.
(2)A social worker certified or licensed under R.S. 37:2701, et seq.
(3)A physician certified or licensed under R.S. 37:1261, et seq.
(4)A psychiatrist certified or licensed under R.S. 37:1261, et seq.
(5)A psychologist certified or licensed under R.S. 37:2351, et seq.
(6)A medical psychologist certified or licensed under R.S. 37:1360.51, et seq.
(7)A nurse certified or licensed under R.S. 37:911, et seq.
(8)A physician assistant certified or licensed under R.S. 37:1360.21, et seq.
(9)An addiction counselor certified or licensed under R.S. 37:3386, et seq.
Proposed law provides that the training offered via online access by the department under the
proposed law may be such that it is offered in either continuous multi-hour blocks or spread over
shorter training sessions.
Proposed law provides the disciplining authorities over the professions listed in proposed law, at
each board's discretion, may approve the hours spent completing training in suicide assessment,
intervention, treatment, and management under the proposed law as hours that may count toward
meeting any applicable continuing education or continuing competency requirements for each
profession. Proposed law provides that obtaining training offered via the department's website link under
proposed law shall not be construed to establish a legal basis for negligence or the standard of
care or duty of care owed by a health care professional to a patient in any civil action for medical
malpractice.
Proposed law requires that the secretary of DHH to develop a list of available programs
providing training in suicide assessment, intervention, treatment, and management. In
developing such a list, the secretary shall consider suicide assessment, intervention, treatment,
and management training programs listed on the best practices registry of the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Proposed law requires that on or before January 1, 2015, the secretary shall make available on the
department's official website online access to its list under proposed law, and where possible
links to training programs on the department's list.
Proposed law further provides that proposed law may be interpreted to expand or limit the scope
of practice of any profession regulated under Title 37 of the La. R.S.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Adds R.S. 37:24-27)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill
1. Changes from mandatory continuing education or continuing competency training
in suicide assessment, intervention, treatment, and management for certain health
care professionals to beginning January 1, 2015, the Department of Health and
Hospitals shall offer certain health care professionals voluntary training in suicide
assessment, intervention, treatment, and management through posting links to
such training on the department's official website.