HLS 22RS-1112 REENGROSSED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 827
BY REPRESENTATIVES GADBERRY, AMEDEE, CARRIER, DESHOTEL, GAINES,
HODGES, HORTON, JEFFERSON, JENKINS, LARVADAIN, LYONS,
CHARLES OWEN, SELDERS, AND STAGNI
HEALTH/CHILDREN: Provides relative to screening of children for autism spectrum
disorder
1 AN ACT
2To enact Part VIII of Chapter 5-A of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be
3 comprised of R.S. 40:1091, relative to health services for children; to provide
4 relative to screening of children for autism spectrum disorder; to require such
5 screening in certain instances; to provide for exceptions to the screening
6 requirement; to provide a limitation of liability; and to provide for related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. Part VIII of Chapter 5-A of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
9comprised of R.S. 40:1091, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 PART VIII. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
11 ยง1091. Autism spectrum disorder; screening of children
12 A. Any primary care provider who performs early and periodic screening,
13 diagnostic, and treatment preventive visits in accordance with the periodicity
14 schedule of the Bright Futures initiative of the American Academy of Pediatrics shall
15 promote age-appropriate screenings including, unless otherwise medically indicated,
16 a standardized screening for autism spectrum disorder at any routine well child visit.
17 B. No primary care provider shall be liable for any civil damages or be
18 subject to any disciplinary action by his licensing board as a result of any act or
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-1112 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 827
1 omission in connection with delivering or not delivering any service provided for in
2 this Part.
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 827 Reengrossed 2022 Regular Session Gadberry
Abstract: Provides for screening of children for autism spectrum disorder by primary care
providers.
Proposed law requires primary care providers who perform early and periodic screening,
diagnostic, and treatment preventive visits in accordance with American Academy of
Pediatrics guidelines to promote age-appropriate screenings including, unless otherwise
medically indicated, a standardized screening for autism spectrum disorder at any routine
well child visit.
Proposed law stipulates that no primary care provider shall be liable for any civil damages
or be subject to any disciplinary action by his licensing board as a result of any act or
omission in connection with delivering or not delivering any service provided for in
proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 40:1091)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Delete proposed law requiring screenings by physicians of children under the age
of three for autism spectrum disorder. Add in lieu thereof a requirement that
primary care providers promote age-appropriate screenings including, unless
otherwise medically indicated, a standardized screening for autism spectrum
disorder at any routine well child visit.
2. Delete proposed law providing that no screening for autism spectrum disorder
shall be conducted upon any child whose parent or tutor objects to the screening.
Add in lieu thereof a limitation of liability stipulating that no primary care
provider shall be liable for any civil damages or be subject to any disciplinary
action by his licensing board as a result of any act or omission in connection with
delivering or not delivering any service provided for in proposed law.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.