The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Amanda Trapp.
DIGEST
SB 231 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Duplessis
Present law allows a petition for an order authorizing involuntary outpatient treatment to be filed in
the judicial district in the parish in which the respondent is present or reasonably believed to be
present.
Proposed law adds that the petition may be filed in the judicial district where the respondent resides.
Present law requires the court to assign a time and place for a hearing within 18 days after a petition
is filed.
Proposed law changes the time frame to 30 days after a petition is filed.
Present law requires the court to appoint a physician, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner,
or psychologist to provide a Physician's Report to Court and testify at the hearing.
Proposed law adds medical psychologists to the list of medical professionals that can be appointed.
Present law requires the examining healthcare provider to provide the court with a written treatment
plan and requires the plan to include appropriate services to provide care coordination.
Present law provides for services that may be included in the plan. Proposed law requires that the
services must be included in the plan.
Present law provides that if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent
meets the criteria for involuntary outpatient treatment, and a written proposed treatment plan has not
been approved, the court shall order the director of the local governing entity to provide a plan and
testimony within five days of the date of the order.
Proposed law provides instead that the court may order the service provider to provide a plan and
testimony within 30 days of the date of the order.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 28:67(intro para), R.S. 28:68(A), 69(A)(1), (B)(2) and (3), (D), and (E), 70(D)(1), and
71(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the original bill
1. Changes time frames.
2. Clarifies the type of medical professionals that may be appointed by the court.