SSHB181 4300 4080
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 181 2023 Regular Session DeVillier
CORONERS: Provides relative to telemedicine access for coroners
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Restores present law provisions regarding the authority of a coroner or deputy
coroner to independently examine the individual 72 hours after admission.
2.Allows a coroner, who is a physician, or his deputy, who is a physician, to
utilize telehealth to conduct the 72-hour independent examination.
3.Revises outdated references and terminology in present law.
4.Makes technical corrections.
Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate
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
removes the specific reference to a psychiatrist and updates terminology and otherwise
retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 28:53(G)(2) and (J)(3))
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