Bill > HB137

This bill amends Louisiana law to expand the list of professionals who can conduct telehealth examinations for emergency certificates to include psychologists and medical psychologists. Under the revised law, these professionals can now evaluate a patient remotely via video conferencing technology when determining if an individual needs immediate mental health treatment, but with an important stipulation: a licensed healthcare professional must be physically present in the examination room with the patient during the video conference to assist with gathering necessary information. The bill maintains existing requirements that the examination must determine if the patient is dangerous to themselves or others, or gravely disabled, and the patient must be medically cleared before admission to a mental health treatment facility. This change provides more flexibility in mental health assessments, particularly in situations where in-person evaluations might be challenging, while ensuring that there is still direct professional support present during the telehealth examination.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB137&sbi=y