SLS 16RS-497 ENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 210
BY SENATOR BARROW
HEALTH SERVICES. Provides relative to behavioral health services. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 40:2154 and to enact R.S.
3 40:2154(B), relative to behavioral health services rendered to specialty courts; to
4 exempt from licensure requirements providers furnishing behavioral health services
5 to certain specialty courts; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 40:2154 is hereby amended and
9 reenacted and R.S. 40:2154(B) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง2154. Applicability
11 A. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to the licensing of any of the
12 following facilities or persons and shall not be construed as requiring any of the
13 following facilities or persons to seek licensure as a behavioral health services
14 provider:
15 * * *
16 B. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to authorize any person to
17 engage in the practice of mental health counseling or to render such services
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 210
SLS 16RS-497 ENGROSSED
1 unless the person is licensed, certified, registered or credentialed as provided in
2 state law, and the services rendered are in accordance with the laws, rules,
3 professional training and standards, and code of ethics which pertain to the
4 practice of mental health counseling.
5 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
6 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
7 by the governor, as provideed by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
8 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
9 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 210 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Barrow
Present law provides for exceptions relative to facilities operated solely to provide substance
abuse or mental health services to specialty courts.
Proposed law provides that the provisions of this Part shall not be considered to permit the
rendering of mental health services by persons that are not properly licensed, certified,
registered or credentialed.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 40:2154(intro para); adds R.S. 40:2154(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Clarifies that the exception is for a person, not for a facility.
2. Clarifies that the exemption applies to a person that is credentialed.
3. Makes technical corrections.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.