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 930 Original 2016 Regular Session Pylant
Abstract: Requires the transportation to a mental health treatment facility of a person admitted
under a physician's emergency certificate to be by ambulance.
Present law provides that a person who is mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and is
determined to be dangerous to himself or others or to be gravely disabled may be admitted and
detained at a treatment facility for observation, diagnosis, and treatment for a period not to exceed
15 days under an emergency certificate issued by a physician, psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner, or psychologist after an actual examination of the person.
Present law further provides that an emergency certificate constitutes legal authority to transport the
patient to a treatment facility and permits the director of the treatment facility to detain the patient
for diagnosis and treatment for a period not to exceed 15 days.
Proposed law retains present law but adds a requirement, if the emergency certificate is executed by
a physician, for the patient to be transported to the treatment facility by ambulance unless the
physician determines and certifies that the patient may be transported safely by alternative available
means.
(Amends R.S. 28:53(F) and (J)(2))