RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
Act 423 (HB 243) 2019 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Existing law requires the state health officer, acting through the office of public health of the
La. Department of Health (LDH), to prepare, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations
embodied within the state's sanitary code. Provides guidelines and directives for
promulgation and implementation of the sanitary code.
New law retains existing law and adds a requirement that the sanitary code provide for
reporting by emergency departments of chief complaints, admit reasons, and discharge
diagnosis data relating to suspected opioid-related overdoses.
Existing law requires that each coroner or physician who signs a death certificate certify the
certificate using the La. Electronic Event Registration System.
New law retains existing law and adds a requirement that each coroner report drug overdose
deaths where the decedent's toxicology results indicate that an opioid was present at the time
of death. Requires that such reports be entered into the La. Electronic Event Registration
System of LDH, state registrar of vital records.
New law defines "first responders" and "opioid-related drug overdose" for purposes of new
law.
New law authorizes first responders to provide reports or documents to the LDH office of
public health where an encountered individual was experiencing an opioid-related drug
overdose and whether naloxone was administered. Provides that such reports and documents
are confidential and exempt from the requirements of existing law relative to public records,
R.S. 44:1 et seq.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 20, 2019).
(Amends R.S. 40:34(C) and R.S. 44:4.1(B)(26); Adds R.S. 40:4(A)(14) and 978.2.1)