RDCSB127 4300 3231
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)]
SB 127 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session McMath
Present law defines "psychosocial rehabilitation services" (PSR services) as
psycho-educational services provided to individuals with mental illness in order to assist
with skill-building, restoration, and rehabilitation, designed to assist the individual with
compensating for or eliminating functional deficits and interpersonal or environmental
barriers associated with mental illness.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that, in order to be eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement, all
behavioral health services providers shall ensure that any individual rendering PSR services
for the provider agency meets certain enumerated requirements including a minimum of a
bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in the field of counseling, social
work, psychology, or sociology.
Proposed law retains present law and expands the minimum eligible educational requirement
to include a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in the fields of
counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, rehabilitation services, special education,
early childhood education, secondary education, or human growth and development with a
minor in counseling, social work, sociology, or psychology.
Present law provides that any individual rendering PSR services who does not possess the
minimum bachelor's degree required by present law, but who met all provider qualifications
in effect prior to July 1, 2018, may continue to provide PSR services for the same provider
agency. Further provides that, prior to the individual rendering PSR services at a different
provider agency, the individual must comply with the provisions of present law.
Proposed law retains present law but makes technical changes.
Effective August 1, 2021.
(Amends R.S. 40:2162(D)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Change the educational requirement of 15 hours of coursework or practicum
experience in certain mental health related fields to a minor in certain mental
health related fields.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the engrossed bill:
1. Expand the fields of study for the bachelor's degree requirement.
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