RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 59 (HB 197) 2015 Regular Session Shadoin
Prior law provided 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.
New 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.
Existing law provides that any information, report, or record that the Committee on Alcohol
and Drug Abuse of the La. 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.
Existing 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 La. State Bar Association.
New law extends the application of these privileges and immunities to the Judges and
Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. to also include mental health issues.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 37:221(A), (B)(1) and (2), and (C)(1) and (2))
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