GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 181 2023 Regular Session DeVillier
CORONERS: Provides relative to telemedicine access for coroners.
DIGEST
Present law provides that a person who has a mental illness or a person who is suffering from
a substance-related or addictive disorder may be admitted and detained at a treatment facility
for observation, diagnosis, and treatment for a period not to exceed 15 days under an
emergency certificate. Present law further provides for the execution of the emergency
certificate after an actual examination by a physician, physician assistant, psychiatric mental
health nurse practitioner, other nurse practitioner who acts in accordance with a collaborative
practice agreement, or psychologist. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the actual examination of the person by a psychiatrist or psychiatric
mental health nurse practitioner may be conducted by telemedicine utilizing video
conferencing technology. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that, within 72 hours of admission, the person shall be independently
examined by the coroner or his deputy who shall execute an emergency certificate, which
shall be a necessary precondition to the person's continued confinement. Proposed law retains
present law.
Proposed law provides that a coroner, who is a physician, or his deputy, who is a physician,
may utilize telehealth to conduct the 72-hour independent examination.
Present law provides that, subject to specific exceptions in present law, if the original
examination by the psychiatrist referred to in present law is conducted by telemedicine, the
72-hour independent examination by the coroner shall be conducted in person. Proposed law
retains present law but removes the specific reference to a psychiatrist and updates
terminology.
(Amends R.S. 28:53(G)(2) and (J)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Restore present law relative to the actual examinations and reexaminations via
telemedicine.
2. Allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, coroners who are licensed
physicians, or deputy coroners who are licensed physicians to conduct the 72-
hour independent examination.
3. Make technical corrections.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
reengrossed bill
1. Restore present law provisions regarding the authority of a coroner or his deputy
to independently examine the individual 72-hours after admission.
2. Allow a coroner, who is a physician, or his deputy, who is a physician, to utilize
telehealth to conduct the 72-hour independent examination.
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Prepared by Brandi Cannon. 3. Update outdated references and terminology.
4. Make technical changes.
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Prepared by Brandi Cannon.