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)]
HB 197 Original 2015 Regular Session Shadoin
Abstract: Provides a restatement of the public purpose and renames the Lawyer's Assistance
Program, Inc., as the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc., and extends the purpose,
privileges, and immunities of the program to include mental health issues.
Present law provides for the Lawyer's Assistance Program to encourage the successful treatment of
alcoholism and drug addiction among the judiciary, members of the La. State Bar Association, law
students, and prospective law students.
Proposed law changes the name of the Lawyer's Assistance Program, Inc., to the Judges and Lawyers
Assistance Program, Inc. and expands the directive of the program to include counseling and
intervention services for judges, lawyers, law students, and other members of the legal profession
who may suffer from mental health issues.
Present law provides that any information, report, or record that the Committee on Alcohol and Drug
Abuse of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Lawyer's Assistance Program, Inc., or any member,
or employee, or agent of either generates or gathers is confidential and privileged, and that no
member of the Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, or agent, or employee of Lawyer's
Assistance Program, Inc., may disclose that information, report or record without written approval
of the subject judge, lawyer, law student, or prospective lawyer.
Present law provides immunity from liability for any licensed lawyer, and his supporting staff,
resulting from any act made in good faith while engaged in efforts to assist judges, lawyers, law
students, or prospective lawyers in connection with substance abuse counseling or intervention
pursuant to the programs of the Louisiana State Bar Association.
Proposed law extends the application of these privileges and immunities to the Judges and Lawyers
Assistance Program, Inc., to also include mental health issues.
(Amends R.S. 37:221(A), (B)(1)(intro. para.) and (2), and (C)(1) and (2))