HLS 20RS-974 ENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 702
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY
HEALTH SERVICES: Provides with respect to the practice of physician assistants
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:961(4), relative to physician assistants; to provide definitions;
3 and to provide for related matters.
4Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 37:961(4) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
6 ยง961. Definitions
7 As used in this Part:
8 * * *
9 (4) The "practice of practical nursing" means the performance for
10 compensation of any acts, not requiring the education, training, and preparation
11 required in professional nursing, in the care, treatment, or observation of persons
12 who are ill, injured, or infirm and for the maintenance of the health of others and the
13 promotion of health care, including the administration of medications and treatments
14 or in on-job training or supervising licensed practical nurses, subordinate personnel,
15 or instructing patients consistent with the licensed practical nurse's education and
16 preparation, under the direction of a licensed physician, optometrist, or dentist acting
17 individually or in his capacity as a member of the medical staff, or registered nurse,
18 or physician assistant. The licensed practical nurse may perform any of the foregoing
19 duties, and with appropriate training may perform additional specified acts which are
20 authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners when directed
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-974 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 702
1 to do so by the licensed physician, optometrist, or dentist acting individually or in
2 his capacity as a member of the medical staff, or registered nurse, or physician
3 assistant.
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 702 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Bagley
Abstract: Provides for physician assistants who oversee the duties of a licensed practical
nurse.
Present law provides that a licensed practical nurse shall administer their job duties under
the direction of a licensed physician, optometrist, or dentist acting individually or in his
capacity as a member of the medical staff or registered nurse.
Proposed law retains present law and adds physician assistant as an individual who may
provide direction to a licensed practical nurse to perform their necessary duties.
(Amends R.S. 37:961(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Deletes provisions of proposed law that would have required physicians to
collaborate with physician assistants in providing healthcare services.
2. Requires only physician assistants to review the duties of a licensed practical
nurse.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.