The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 216 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Tarver
Present law authorizes any physician, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or psychologist
to execute an emergency certificate after an actual examination of a person alleged to be mentally
ill or suffering from substance abuse who is determined to be in need of immediate care and
treatment in a treatment facility because the person is determined to be dangerous to self or others
or to be gravely disabled.
Proposed law expands this authority to physician assistants in collaboration with their supervising
physician.
Present law includes minimum data required on a certificate.
Proposed law expands minimum data to include the date of exam and objective findings of the
physician assistant.
Present law provides for legal authority to transport a person to a treatment facility.
Proposed law expands legal authority to transport a person to a treatment facility to instances where
it is authorized by a physician assistant in collaboration with their supervising physician.
Effective August 1, 2017.
(Amends R.S. 28:53(B)(1), (2)(a) and (b), and (F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill
1. Clarifies that the physician assistant acts in collaboration with their supervising
physician in issuing an emergency certificate.