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 763 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Carpenter
Abstract: Authorizes establishment of mental health emergency room extensions by human
services districts and authorities.
Proposed law defines "mental health emergency room extension" and "MHERE" as a type of crisis
receiving center in which a staff of mental health and behavioral health specialists provide a high
level of screening and assessment to people experiencing mental health or behavioral health crises.
Provides that the purposes of a mental health emergency room extension include, without limitation,
all of the following:
(1)To properly connect patients experiencing mental health or behavioral health crises to either
acute or ongoing community-based treatment.
(2)To diminish the need in a community for recurrent crisis services for persons suffering from
mental illness, substance abuse, or both conditions.
(3)To serve as a crisis continuum component that assists law enforcement officers, hospital
emergency departments, and jails by treating persons with mental health and behavioral
health conditions in an appropriate setting.
Proposed law authorizes human services districts and authorities to establish MHEREs in accordance
with the provisions of proposed law. Provides that subject to appropriation therefor, a human
services district or authority may establish and operate an MHERE in any parish that meets all of the
following criteria:
(1)The parish has a population of more than 440,000 according to the latest federal decennial
census.
(2)The parish experienced the closure of a hospital that had been operated by the LSU Health
Care Services Division.
Proposed law stipulates that human services districts and authorities are authorized, but not required,
to establish any MHERE pursuant to proposed law as a Level III (freestanding) crisis receiving
center in accordance with present administrative law.
(Adds R.S. 28:931 and 932) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Stipulate that human services districts and authorities are authorized, but not required,
to establish any mental health emergency room extension pursuant to proposed law as
a Level III (freestanding) crisis receiving center in accordance with present administrative
law.