HLS 16RS-1177 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 579
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT JOHNSON
DIETITIANS: Provides relative to the delivery of nutrition services
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:3083(1)(a), relative to nutrition services; to authorize a
3 licensed dietitian or nutritionist to directly order dietary plans; to authorize a licensed
4 dietitian or nutritionist to directly request laboratory tests; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 37:3083(1)(a) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง3083. Definitions
9 As used in this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
10 (1) "Dietetics/nutrition practice" means the integration and application of
11 principles derived from the sciences of nutrition, biochemistry, food, physiology,
12 management, behavioral, and social sciences to achieve and maintain client health
13 through the provision of nutrition care services, which shall include:
14 (a) Assessing the nutritional needs of individuals and groups based upon
15 appropriate biochemical, anthropometric, physical, and dietary data to determine
16 nutrient needs and recommend to the primary health care provider ordering
17 appropriate nutritional intake including enteral and parenteral nutrition or appropriate
18 laboratory tests to monitor the effectiveness of dietary plans and orders, regardless
19 of setting.
20 * * *
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1177 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 579
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 579 Original 2016 Regular Session Robert Johnson
Abstract: Authorizes a licensed dietitian or nutritionist to directly order dietary plans for
patients and to request laboratory tests for monitoring the effectiveness of dietary
plans.
Present law authorizes a licensed dietitian or nutritionist to assess nutritional needs and
recommend a dietary plan to the patient's primary healthcare provider.
Proposed law authorizes the licensed dietitian or nutritionist to directly order the dietary plan
and adds authorization for the dietitian or nutritionist to order appropriate laboratory tests
to monitor the effectiveness of the dietary plan.
(Amends R.S. 37:3083(1)(a))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.