The original instrument was prepared by Christine Arbo Peck. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Linda
Nugent.
DIGEST
SB 216 Reengrossed 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 physicians assistants when acting in accordance with their
respective clinical practice guidelines.
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 when acting in accordance with their respective clinical practice guidelines.
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 when acting in accordance with their respective clinical
practice guidelines.
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.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Provides that the physician assistant act in accordance with their respective clinical practice guidelines when executing an emergency certificate.