The original instrument was prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Tammy Crain-Waldrop.
DIGEST
SB 49 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Morrell
Present law provides that the secretary of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections may authorize
visits and correspondence under reasonable conditions between inmates and approved friends,
relatives, and other persons.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that if an inmate sustains bodily injury requiring
admittance to an intensive care unit or trauma center, the warden or other governing authority of the
correctional facility, jail, or other detention facility shall notify the inmate's immediate family within
one hour of the medical decision to transport the inmate to the intensive care unit or trauma center.
Proposed law further provides that, notwithstanding any provision of present law, if an inmate
sustains serious bodily injury requiring admittance to an intensive care unit or trauma center,
members of the inmate's immediate family must be granted visitation with the inmate for the
duration of the inmate's admission to the intensive care unit or trauma center unless the warden or
other governing authority of the inmate's correctional facility, jail, or other detention facility provides
written notice, within six hours of the inmate's admission to the intensive care unit or trauma center,
to any immediate family member seeking visitation why such visitation cannot be granted.
If the inmates admission occurs between the hours of eight p.m. and four a.m. the correctional or
detention facility shall provide the required written notification within twenty-four hours of the time
the serious bodily injury occurred. Visitation may be supervised. Visitation may be revoked if any
immediate family member possesses any item of contraband during visitation.
Proposed law defines "serious bodily injury" as bodily injury that involves unconsciousness, extreme
physical pain or protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the
function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, or a substantial risk of death.
Proposed law defines "immediate family" as a spouse, child, parent, stepparent, sibling, step-sibling,
grandchild, or grandparent of the inmate.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 15:833(A)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill 1. Adds technical language.
2. Requires notification of the inmate's family within one hour of the decision to
transport him to the ICU.
3. Allows notification of why visitation cannot be granted to be provided within 24
hours if the admission occurs between 8pm and 4am.