DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 77 Original 2019 Regular Session Armes
Abstract: Authorizes, subject to approval by the secretary of the La. Dept. of Health, online
delivery of certain training required for medication attendants.
Present law authorizes nonlicensed personnel who have successfully completed and passed the drug
administration course required by present law to administer oral medication, ointments, and
suppositories; but prohibits such personnel from administering any medication by intramuscular,
intravenous, or subcutaneous routes. Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that persons who have successfully completed the drug administration course
and passed a qualifying examination shall be known as medication attendants. Authorizes such
persons to administer certain medications to residents of facilities operated by the office for citizens
with developmental disabilities, to residents of certain community homes for persons with
developmental disabilities, and to persons receiving certain in-home Medicaid services. Proposed
law retains present law.
Present law provides that drug administration courses for medication attendants shall be established
by the La. Department of Health (LDH) in conjunction with the La. State Board of Nursing and the
La. State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and as approved by the secretary of LDH.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the following:
(1)Subject to approval by the secretary of LDH, the requisite number of hours of a course
established pursuant to present law and designated as classroom theory may be delivered in
a live, in-person format; an online format; or a combination of these formats.
(2)Subject to approval by the secretary of LDH, the requisite number of hours of a
re-certification course established pursuant to present law may be delivered in a live,
in-person format; an online format; or a combination of these formats.
Proposed law requires LDH to promulgate in rule the authorized methods of delivery of medication
attendant courses (e.g. live, in-person; online; or a combination of these formats).
Proposed law repeals present law requiring LDH to determine the fees for the drug administration
courses provided for in present law and proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 37:1022 and 1023)