HLS 24RS-1553 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 869
BY REPRESENTATIVES PHELPS, FISHER, AND JACKSON
HEALTH/SICKLE CELL ANEM: Requires continuing education for the treatment of
sickle cell disease for physicians and physician assistants
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:1270(A)(8), relative to continuing education requirements for
3 certain physicians and physician assistants; to provide for the treatment of sickle cell
4 disease; to provide for the duties of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners;
5 to require continuing education for the treatment of sickle cell disease; and to
6 provide for related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 37:1270(A)(8) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 ยง1270. Duties and powers of the board
10 A. The board shall:
11 * * *
12 (8) Have the authority to establish and determine by rule minimum
13 requirements relative to continuing education for the renewal or reinstatement of any
14 license or permit issued by the board, except the board shall require physicians and
15 physician assistants practicing emergency medicine to complete an initial three-hour
16 continuing education course on the treatment of sickle cell disease. Thereafter, a
17 physician and physician assistant practicing emergency medicine shall complete a
18 one-hour refresher course at regular intervals no less frequently than every three
19 years. The course shall be approved by the board.
20 * * *
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-1553 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 869
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 869 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Phelps
Abstract: Provides that the La. State Bd. of Medical Examiners will require emergency
medicine physicians and physician assistants to obtain continuing education on the
treatment of sickle cell disease.
Present law states that the La. State Bd. of Medical Examiners (LSBME) has the authority
to establish and determine by rule minimum requirements relative to continuing education
for the renewal or reinstatement of any license issued by the board.
Proposed law adds that the LSBME shall require physicians and physician assistants
practicing emergency medicine to complete an initial three-hour continuing education course
on the treatment of sickle cell disease followed by a one-hour refresher course no less
frequently than every three years.
(Amends R.S. 37:1270(A)(8))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Provide that a physician and a physician assistant shall be required to take an
initial 3-hour course on the treatment of sickle cell disease followed by a
refresher course no less frequently than every three years.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.