House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends R.S. 28:53(B)(1) to expand the authority for conducting telehealth examinations for emergency certificates to include psychologists and medical psychologists. Previously, only psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners were permitted to perform these examinations via telehealth. The bill stipulates that the examination must still occur in the presence of a licensed healthcare professional who can assist in gathering necessary information during the video conference.

Additionally, the bill makes a minor grammatical adjustment by changing the pronoun "their" to "his" in reference to physician assistants and other practitioners, ensuring consistency in the language used throughout the law. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance access to mental health evaluations in emergency situations by allowing more qualified professionals to conduct assessments remotely, thereby facilitating timely care for individuals in need.

Statutes affected:
HB137 Original: 28:53(B)(1)