SSHB79 4300 3941
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 79 2021 Regular Session McMahen
MENTAL HEALTH: Provides relative to treatment facilities for mental health patients
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Adds a provision that requires the geographic location of a public or private
behavioral health service provider to include the parish in which the provider's
business office is located, any parish contiguous to that office, and within a fifty
mile radius of said office.
Present law provides that a treatment facility shall be selected in the following order of
priority:
(1)Medical suitability.
(2)Least restriction of the person's liberty.
(3)Nearness to the patient's usual residence.
(4)Financial or other status of the patient.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that in the selection of the treatment facility a
patient's preference shall be the fifth consideration.
Present law provides that a patient may be admitted by an emergency certificate to be
diagnosed and treated.
Proposed law provides service locations for certain treatment facilities.
Proposed law requires the geographic location of a public or private behavioral health service
provider to include the parish in which the provider's business office is located, any parish
contiguous to the office in which the provider's business is located, and within a fifty mile
radius of the provider's business office.
(Amends R.S. 28:2(39)(a)(intro. para.) and R.S. 40:2155(B))
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