Senate Bill No. 437, introduced by Senator Abraham, amends and reenacts R.S. 40:2852(C)(2) and enacts R.S. 40:2852(C)(3) through (5) to establish new requirements for treatment services at facilities that provide housing or temporary residence for individuals referred by judicial agencies. The bill stipulates that no facility may provide residential substance use disorder treatment unless it is licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health as a behavioral health service provider with the appropriate treatment module. Additionally, judicial agencies are prohibited from referring individuals to such facilities until they have been surveyed and licensed by the Department of Health.

The bill also allows for complaints regarding unlicensed residential facilities providing substance use disorder treatment to be filed with the licensing section of the Louisiana Department of Health for investigation. Importantly, the legislation clarifies that licensed physicians, mental health professionals, or behavioral health service providers are not restricted from offering treatment services, including substance use disorder counseling, to individuals in their own residences. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB437 Original: 40:2852(C)(2)