The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 38 Original 2017 Regular Session Morrell
Present law provides that any person licensed under the mental health counselor law may not assess,
diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual suffering from a serious mental illness when
medication may be indicated, except when a licensed professional counselor, in accordance with
industry best practices, consults and collaborates with a practitioner who holds a license or permit
with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse
licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides a definition for serious mental illness to include schizophrenia or
schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major
depressive disorder - moderate to severe, anorexia, bulimia, intermittent explosive disorder, autism,
psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified) when diagnosed in a child under seventeen years of age,
Rett's disorder, Tourette's disorder, and dementia.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or upon lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 37:1103(7); repeals R.S. 37:1103(14) and 1116(F))