RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 73 (SB 58) 2017 Regular Session Mills
New law establishes legislative intent for the modernization of the statutes governing the
human services districts and authorities to clarify their purpose in the health delivery
spectrum.
Prior law provided definitions. New law deletes obsolete definitions to conform with
modernization of the statutes regarding human services districts and authorities.
Prior law established the statutory governance area for each of the human services districts
and authorities. New law updates prior law to include the districts that have been formally
named since the statute was last updated.
Prior law provided for composition of the governing boards for the districts and authorities.
New law adds expertise in the fields of law enforcement, the judiciary, with particular
emphasis on specialty courts, school-based healthcare, and the coroner's office as the
qualifications for the governing authority of the parish shall include when nominating
individuals as appointees are replaced due to vacancy. Requires that by January 1, 2018, all
human services district and authority boards shall comply with the board member expertise
requirements provided for in prior law and new law.
New law requires a minimum number of professionals and consumers with experience in the
fields of developmental disability, mental health, and addictive disorders on each board.
New law adds these members immediately if they are not already represented by current
board membership and reduces the total number of board members to the number established
in prior law as board member terms expire.
Prior law established requirements for the inception and readiness assessment phase of the
statewide human services districts. New law updates requirements for board member
education and training and affirms the district and authorities role in providing community
services in partnership with the local law enforcement and judicial offices, including
allowance of sole source contracts to provide services for individuals in those systems.
Prior law created a human services interagency council. New law clarifies the purpose and
charge of the council and requires meetings and discussion of certain operational matters.
Prior law required the department to submit a report to the legislature on the services and
financial status of the districts and authorities. New law clarifies the data to be included in
the report and provides for an oversight hearing by the Senate and House committees on
health and welfare.
Prior law required the department to provide adequate funding appropriate for the delivery
of services. New law establishes a funding analysis, to be conducted in consultation with the
districts and authorities, based on quality outcomes.
New law requires each district and authority to set aside funding in an amount equal to at
least 9% of its state general fund appropriation each fiscal year for services for persons with
developmental disabilities.
Prior law provided for the department to impose sanctions on the districts and authorities for
noncompliance with their contract. New law specifies that the sanctions may be requiring
a plan of correction or assuming temporary management of the district or authority. If the
sanction is a plan of correction, the Senate and House committees on health and welfare
must be notified. If the sanction is temporary management, the department must get the
approval of the Senate and House committees on health and welfare.
Prior law established a state funded program for cash subsidies for families with persons
with developmental disabilities (R.S. 28:821). New law requires the human services districts
and authorities to consider as a board, and in their contract with the department, their
responsibilities in implementing this program.
Prior law included separate but duplicative chapters of law for the establishment of the
Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority (Ch. 14 of Title 28), Florida Parishes Human
Services Authority (Ch. 16 of Title 28), Metropolitan Human Services District (Ch. 17 of Title 28), South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority (Ch. 18 of Title 28), Northeast
Delta Human Services Authority (Ch. 19 of Title 28), and Capital Area Human Services
District (Ch. 20 of Title 28). New law repeals prior law to consolidate these districts and
authorities into the Statewide Human Services Delivery chapter (Ch. 21 of Title 28) to
establish consistency and cohesiveness while also retaining the autonomy, geographical
catchment area, and any unique provisions of each individual district or authority.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 7, 2017).
(Amends R.S. 28:911-918; adds R.S. 28:910 and 913.1-913.7; repeals R.S. 28:831, 851-856;
861-866; 871-876; 891-896, 901-906, 919, and 920)