RDCSB216 2709 3241
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)]
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 the following healthcare professionals:
(1)Physician assistants when acting in accordance with their respective clinical practice
guidelines.
(2)Nurse practitioners with or without a clinical specialization who act in accordance
with a collaborative practice agreement and receive verbal approval from a
collaborating physician for executing the certificate.
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 or nurse practitioner.
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 or nurse practitioner.
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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the reengrossed bill:
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1. Add nurse practitioners with or without a clinical specialization as healthcare
professionals who may issue an emergency certificate for mental health or
substance abuse treatment.
2. Stipulate that a nurse practitioner who may issue such a certificate must act in
accordance with a collaborative practice agreement and receive verbal approval
from his collaborating physician for executing the certificate.
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