Senate Bill No. 43, introduced by Senator McMath, aims to establish the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Louisiana Department of Health, specifically under the office of behavioral health. The program is designed to facilitate clinical studies on the use of psychedelic medications, such as ibogaine and psilocybin, for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant neurological or mental health conditions. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Health, including the approval of academic health centers to participate in the program, identifying eligible patients through human service districts, and allowing parishes to utilize opioid settlement funds for patient enrollment in studies.

Additionally, the bill mandates that participating academic health centers submit annual progress reports to the Department of Health, which will compile and present these findings to the legislature by February 1st each year. The Department is also authorized to seek additional funding sources, including federal funds, gifts, grants, and donations, to support the program. Furthermore, the bill encourages coordination with other states conducting similar clinical trials to enhance the effectiveness of the program. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.