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 517 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Selders
Abstract: Provides for the Medical Advisory Council within DPS&C.
Present law (R.S. 15:827) provides relative to the duties of DPS&C.
Proposed law (R.S. 15:827(A)(10) retains present law and adds an additional duty of hiring a
department medical director.
Proposed law provides that the department medical director shall be responsible for the delivery of
services for persons sentenced to state custody.
Proposed law (R.S. 15:827.4) creates the DPS&C Medical Advisory Council composed of medical
directors from each state prison facility and the department medical director.
Proposed law provides that the council shall provide recommendations to DPS&C on the following:
(1)Hiring and retention.
(2)Departmental policies.
(3)Post-mortem review.
(4)A health electronic records system.
(5)Other reasonably related responsibilities.
Proposed law provides that the council elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary and hold quarterly
meetings.
Proposed law provides the initial council members shall serve until Aug. 14, 2025. All subsequent
members shall serve three-year terms beginning on Aug. 15th of each successive term.
Proposed law provides that the secretary shall have authority to contract with consultants to assist
council and medical director.
Proposed law provides that the council shall submit a quarterly report to the state health officer
within the La. Dept. of Health. Present law (R.S. 15:831) provides for the medical care of inmates. Provides that the DPS&C
secretary shall establish standards for health, medical, and dental services for each institution.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that the Medical Advisory Council shall provide
recommendations to the DPS&C secretary.
(Amends R.S. 15:831(A); Adds R.S. 15:827(A)(10) and 827.4)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Delete language that references the hiring of a statewide department medical director.
3. Change the membership of the advisory council from thirteen members of various
medical disciplines or associations to the medical directors from each state prison facility
and the department medical director.
4. Replace "advice and consent" with "recommendations".
5. Change the time period of the council's meetings from "annually" to "quarterly".
6. Require the council to submit a quarterly report to the state health officer within the La.
Department of Health.
7. Delete language that references the Administrative Procedure Act relative to the council's
advice to the DPS&C on departmental policies.
8. Delete language that requires the council to provide advisement and approval pertaining
to a health electronic records system.