RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 235 (SB 38) 2017 Regular Session Morrell
Prior law provided 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,
or a licensed marriage and family therapist in accordance with industry best practices,
consults and collaborates with a practitioner who holds a license or permit with the La. State
Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the La.
State Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
New law repeals prior law.
New law provides that if intellectual, personality, developmental, or neuropsychological tests
are deemed necessary, the licensed professional counselor, provisional licensed professional
counselor, the licensed marriage and family therapist, or provisional licensed marriage and
family therapist will make an appropriate referral.
Prior law provided 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.
New law repeals prior law.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 14, 2017).
(Amends R.S. 37:1103(7) and 1116(F); repeals R.S. 37:1103(14))