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 Reengrossed 2016 Regular Session Carpenter
Abstract: Authorizes establishment of intervention and stabilization units by human services
districts and authorities.
Proposed law defines "intervention and stabilization unit" 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 intervention and stabilization unit 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 intervention and
stabilization units 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
intervention and stabilization unit 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 intervention and stabilization unit pursuant to proposed law as a Level III
(freestanding) crisis receiving center.
(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. The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Change the designation of the type of facility provided for in proposed law from "mental
health emergency room extension" to "intervention and stabilization unit".
2. Stipulate that human services districts and authorities are authorized to establish
intervention and stabilization units as Level III (freestanding) crisis receiving centers in
accordance with present law relative to crisis response systems (R.S. 28:22), as well as
with present administrative law relative to crisis receiving centers.