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 652 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Abstract: Grants advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and physician assistants (PA) the
authority to certify the existence of an illness of teachers, teaching staff, and bus drivers for
the purposes of leave and extended leave.
Present law requires a physician to certify the existence of an illness of a teacher, school bus driver,
and teaching staff to use sick leave or extended sick leave.
Proposed law retains present law and adds APRNs and PAs to those authorized to certify the
existence of an illness of a teacher, school bus driver, or teaching staff for the purpose of using sick
leave or extended sick leave.
Present law provides a teacher, a teaching staff employee, or a school bus driver must provide obtain
a certification of an illness in order to use ceratin sick leave. The school board or the superintendent
may challenge a certification of illness and require the teacher, teaching staff employee, or school
bus driver to be examined by a different physician. If the teacher, teaching staff employee, or school
bus driver disagrees with the determination of the school board's or superintendent's chosen
physician, the teacher, teaching staff employee, or school bus driver may compel an examination by
a third physician.
Proposed law retains present law and authorizes that a certification or examination completed by a
physician may also be completed by APRN or PA.
Proposed law defines "clinician" as a physician, APRN, or PA.
(Amends R.S. 17:500(B)(1), 500.2(A)(2)(intro. para.) and (c), (D)(1)(b), and E(1)(a) and (2)(a)-(c)
and (e), 1201(A)(2), 1202(A)(1)(b) and (2)(intro. para.) and (d), (D)(1)(b), and (E)(1)(a) and (c),
(2)(a)-(c), and (3), 1206(A)(1), and 1206.2(D)(1)(b) and (E)(1)(a) and (c), (2)(a)-(c), and (3); Adds
R.S. 17:1200(D))