HLS 24RS-975 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 528
BY REPRESENTATIVE EGAN
VETERANS: Establishes the position of director of medical affairs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 36:785, relative to the deputy secretary of the Department of
3 Veterans Affairs; to establish the position of director of medical services; to provide
4 for responsibilities; to provide for salary; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 36:785 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §785. Deputy secretary
8 A. There may be a deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
9 who shall be appointed by the secretary with consent of the Senate and who shall
10 serve at the pleasure of the secretary at a salary fixed by the secretary, which salary
11 shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in
12 session. The duties and functions of the deputy secretary shall be determined and
13 assigned by the secretary. If appointed, he shall serve as acting secretary in the
14 absence of the secretary.
15 B. The deputy secretary may serve concurrently as the director of medical
16 services who shall oversee medical operations at the veterans' homes of this state and
17 provide oversight over all contracted physicians and manage veteran mental health
18 programs and veteran homelessness within the department. If the deputy secretary
19 also serves as the director of medical services, the salary shall be set by the secretary.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-975 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 528
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 528 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Egan
Abstract: Establishes the position of director of medical services within the Dept, of
Veterans Affairs.
Present law provides that the Dept. of Veterans Affairs may have a deputy secretary who is
appointed by the secretary and confirmed by the Senate.
Present law also provides that the deputy secretary serves at the pleasure of the secretary
who determines the deputy secretary's salary and duties.
Proposed law retains present law and establishes a new position of director of medical
services within the department which can be served concurrently by a deputy secretary.
Proposed law also describes the duties of the position and authorizes the secretary to set the
salary for that position.
(Amends R.S. 36:785)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.