RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 88 (HB 490) 2017 Regular Session Leger
Existing law establishes the Drug Policy Board (board) to identify, examine, and implement
drug control policies and strategies to more effectively combat drug and alcohol abuse.
New law requires the board to establish an Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid
Prevention and Education (council) to coordinate resources and expertise to assist in a
statewide response.
New 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.
New law authorizes the council to engage and solicit, as necessary, input, recommendations,
and guidance pertaining to heroin and opioid prevention and education from interested
parties and stakeholders, including but not limited to all of the following:
(1)The La. Board of Pharmacy.
(2)The La. State Board of Medical Examiners.
(3)The La. Sheriffs' Association.
(4)The La. District Attorneys Association.
(5)The La. State Medical Society.
(6)The Chiropractic Association of La.
(7)The La. Physical Therapy Association.
(8)The La. Association of Chiefs of Police.
(9)The La. Independent Pharmacies Association.
(10)The La. State Nurses Association. (11)The La. Association of Nurse Practitioners.
(12)The La. Ambulance Alliance.
(13)The La. State Board of Nursing.
(14)The La. Psychiatric Medical Association.
(15)The La. Poison Control Center.
(16)The La.-Ms. Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
(17)The Optometry Association of La.
(18)The La. Association of Health Plans.
(19)The La. State Coroners Association.
New 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.
New 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.
New law requires the council to also coordinate a central online location to disseminate
information and resources, including the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordination Plan.
New law provides for the officers, quorum and voting requirements, compensation, domicile,
staffing, and meeting requirements of the council.
Effective August 1, 2017.
(Adds R.S. 49:219.5)