RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 234 (SB 37) 2017 Regular Session Martiny
Prior law authorized the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (board) to
conduct hearings upon complaints concerning the disciplining of a psychologist. Provided
that no disciplinary proceeding shall be commenced more than one year after the date upon
which the board knows or should know of the act or omission upon which the disciplinary
action is based.
New law retains these provisions but removes the one year prescriptive period.
Prior law required that the board charge an application fee to all applicants for licensure and
authorizes the board to charge a written examination fee, an oral examination fee, and a
hearing fee. New law retains these provisions but removes the board's authority to charge
a hearing fee.
Prior law required a license applicant to have one year of post-doctoral experience.
New law authorizes the board to consider a substitution of experience for a psychologist who
has practiced for five years in another state with no disciplinary actions and that this
experience may serve as a substitute for one year of post-doctoral experience.
Prior law provided that a person has 30 days to pay reasonable costs to the board for the
disciplinary hearings after final adjudication by the board.
New law increases the number of days a person has to pay reasonable costs for the
disciplinary hearing and informal resolutions from 30 to 90 days.
New law provides that the hearing fee may include reasonable costs and fees for the hearing,
including legal fees, stenographer, investigator, staff, witness fees, and any costs incurred
on judicial review and appeal. Provides that the board may assess reasonable costs and fees,
not to exceed $10,000, when a disciplinary action is resolved by settlement, consent decree
or other informal resolution.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 14, 2017).
(Amends R.S. 37:2353(C)(5), 2354(B)(1), 2356(A)(6), and 2359(C))