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 961 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Muscarello
Abstract: Establishes a mental health transition pilot program to be administered within the
parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa.
Proposed law provides that the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections shall establish a mental health
transition pilot program to be administered within the parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, and
Tangipahoa to provide eligible individuals with transition services in the community while on
probation or parole.
Proposed law provides that in order to determine eligibility for the program, the department shall
conduct basic level screening of individuals placed on probation or parole for mental health disorders
as defined in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
published by the American Psychiatric Assoc.
Proposed law provides that each eligible individual who participates in the program shall be
required, as a condition of probation or parole, to immediately do all of the following upon being
placed on probation or released on parole:
(1)Schedule and attend all appointments at the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority or
any local governmental entity, district, or authority, for any and all mental health or substance
use disorder treatments, if indicated.
(2)Complete a Medicaid application.
Proposed law provides that the department shall apply for a demonstration waiver pursuant to present
law (42 U.S.C. 1315) when established by the La. Dept. of Health and approved by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Proposed law provides that the department shall do all of the following:
(1)Conduct an annual study to determine the recidivism rates of individuals who receive a
contracted entity's mental health transition services pursuant to proposed law. Further
provides that the study shall include the recidivism rates of individuals who have been placed
on probation or released from incarceration for a minimum of one year after placement on
probation or release.
(2)On or before Dec. 31st of each year, submit a written report to the governor, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Joint Legislative
Committee on the Budget and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state. Further
provides that the report may be submitted electronically and shall contain the one-year rate
of return of individuals to the custody of the department.
(Adds R.S. 15:830.3)