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 490 Reengrossed 2017 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Establishes the Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education within
the Drug Policy Board.
Proposed law requires the Drug Policy Board to establish an Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid
Prevention and Education to coordinate resources and expertise to assist in a statewide response.
Proposed law provides that the council shall consist of the following members:
(1)The secretary of the La. Dept. of Health or his designee.
(2)The secretary of the Dept. of Children and Family Services or his designee.
(3)The state superintendent of education or his designee.
(4)The secretary of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections or his designee.
(5)The superintendent of state police or his designee.
(6)The commissioner of higher education or his designee.
(7)The secretary of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or his designee.
(8)The executive director of the La. Workforce Commission or his designee.
(9)The president of the Senate or his designee.
(10)The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
(11)The attorney general or his designee.
(12)The commissioner of insurance or his designee.
(13)A judge from a drug division of a district court appointed by the chief justice of the La.
Supreme Court.
Proposed law provides that the council shall also include nonvoting ex officio members who may advise and contribute to discussions pertaining to heroin and opioid prevention and education,
including but not limited to all of the following:
(1)The executive director of the La. Board of Pharmacy or his designee.
(2)The executive director of the La. State Board of Medical Examiners or his designee.
(3)The president of the La. State Coroners Association or his designee.
(4)The executive director of the La. Sheriffs' Association or his designee.
(5)The executive director of the La. District Attorneys Association or his designee.
(6)The president of the La. State Medical Society or his designee.
(7)The president of the Chiropractic Association of La. or his designee.
(8)The president of the La. Physical Therapy Association or his designee.
(9)The executive director of the La. Association of Chiefs of Police or his designee.
(10)The president of the La. Independent Pharmacies Association or his designee.
(11)The president of the La. State Nurses Association or his designee.
(12)The president of the La. Association of Nurse Practitioners or his designee.
(13)The executive director of the La. Ambulance Alliance or his designee.
Proposed law requires the council to serve in an advisory capacity to the board and establish an
Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordination Plan, which shall include but not be limited to all of
the following:
(1)Parish-level data on opioid overdoses and the dispensing of overdose-reversal medication.
(2)Progress of current initiatives in the state relating to the heroin and opioid epidemic.
(3)Specific impacts to agencies in addressing education, treatment including the use of
medication-assisted treatment, prevention, overdose, and recovery.
Proposed law requires the council to coordinate parish-level data on opioid overdoses and usage of
overdose-reversal medication as current and accurate statewide data is critical in educating both
those involved in policy development and the citizens of this state.
Proposed law requires the council to also coordinate a central online location to disseminate information and resources, including the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordination Plan.
Proposed law provides for the officers, quorum and voting requirements, compensation, domicile,
staffing, and meeting requirements of the council.
(Adds R.S. 49:219.5)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Change the requirement to report on the use of overdose-reversal medication to a
requirement to report on the dispensing of overdose-reversal medication.
2. Clarify that each state department participating on the council shall assist with the
staffing needs of the council.
3. Add the president of the Chiropractic Association of La., the president of the La. Physical
Therapy Association, and the executive director of the La. Association of Chiefs of
Police as ex officio members of the council.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Add the president of the La. Independent Pharmacies Association, the president of the
La. State Nurses Association, the president of the La. Association of Nurse Practitioners,
and the executive director of the La. Ambulance Alliance as ex officio members of the
council.
2. Specify that the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordination Plan shall include specific
impacts to agencies in addressing treatment including the use of medication-assisted
treatment.
3. Make technical changes.