Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
Bills to Bans "Conversion Therapy" and Gender Change Procedures Both Appear Dead in Health & Welfare Committee
HB 605, a measure to define "conversion therapy" and prohibit certain licensed health professionals from engaging in that practice with any minor, and HB 570, which would prohibit certain procedures to alter the sex of a minor child, are still waiting in committee.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
HB 272, authored by Rep. Jefferson is pending Final passage in the Senate after being amended in committee in the Senate and reported with Legislative Bureau amendments on May 26. A Senate amendment inserted the following: "Communications initiated by the licensed mental health professional with a litigant for the purpose of conducting the court-ordered evaluation shall not be considered ex parte communications prohibited by this Subsection." The measure provides for mental health evaluations in divorce and child custody proceedings. A notation indicates that the bill is on the recommendation of the Louisiana State Law Institute. The present law (R.S. 9:327) allows a court to order a mental health evaluation of the parties when determining an award of final spousal support. The proposed law requires the appointed mental health professional to be licensed. Additionally, new language states: "C. 'Licensed mental health professional' as used in this Chapter means a person who possesses at least a master's degree and who is licensed in counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family counseling. "D. When a licensed mental health professional has been appointed by the court, there shall be no ex parte communication by the litigants or their attorneys with the licensed mental health professional unless authorized by law or court order or agreed to by the parties. All oral communication with the licensed mental health professional shall be by teleconference or meeting in which each party to the proceeding participates either through the party's attorney or as a self-represented litigant. All written communication or correspondence to the licensed mental health professional, along with any attachments thereto, shall be provided contemporaneously to all parties to the litigation or their attorneys of record."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
A proposed constitutional amendment put forth by representative Frieman, that would affirm an individual's right to refuse medical treatment, failed to obtain the two-thirds super majority vote necessary to pass the House. The measure was voted on by the House Floor on June 3. HB 53 had passed the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure by 11 to 1 with one abstaining. However, on June 3, after being read a third time by title, the vote was 38 yeas and 54 nays. "Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 38, nays 54. The bill, not having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, failed to pass." The measure would have added the right of Louisiana citizens to accept or reject any form of health care to the Constitution of Louisiana. The proposed constitutional amendment would have added the right to autonomy with respect to healthcare decisions including palliative care, medical treatments, surgical procedures, vaccines, or any other forms of medicine. The proposed constitutional amendment would have required that any adverse treatment or denial of the right shall be subject to strict scrutiny and that any person adversely affected by a violation of this right shall have standing to raise its illegality in the appropriate court. .
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
HB 784 by Rep. Duplessis passed by a Senate vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and returned to the House, on June 17. On June 19, the House vote was yeas 95, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in. On June 24 it was sent to the Governor for executive approval. The measure establishes the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Act to improve awareness, screening, and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The proposed law provides for awareness of all hospitals and birthing centers that provide labor and delivery services. Proposed law requires screening from healthcare providers who are providing postnatal care to women up to twelve months following the birth. Proposed law requires the La. Dept. of Health office of behavioral health, in collaboration with the Bureau of Family Health, to develop and disseminate a database of providers who treat or provide support for maternal mood and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
The Governor has signed SB 61 which creates the "Mental Health" special prestige license plate. The new law requires the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to issue the special prestige license plates, provided there is a minimum of 1,000 applicants for the plate. The proposed law provides the design of the plate shall include the words "Mental Health" and directs the department to collect an annual royalty fee and forward certain percentages to the NAMI Louisiana and the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
HB 582 by Rep. Stagni adds Louisiana to the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. The measure has passed both Houses and been signed by the Speaker and goes to the Gov. The proposed law allows Louisiana to join the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Louisiana, as a participating state, to adopt the same uniform professional counseling licensure requirements as the states in the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
Representative Marino's measure which adds dyslexia education to list of qualifications and requirements for teacher education programs, HB 136, was read in the Senate committee on May 26 and amended. It has been recommitted to the committee on Finance. The proposed new law requires that teacher education programs include at least three credit hours on teaching students with dyslexia and specifies content of such coursework. Proposed law applies to the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Sen. Cathey's SB 29 Supports Health Professional Free Speech
The proposed law provides that a licensed healthcare professional shall not be adversely affected for accepting or rejecting a healthcare procedure, treatment, or product; or exercising free speech. The measure is pending in committee.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Rep. Seabaugh Seeks Change in Orders for Added Medical Opinions
HB 705 by Rep. Seabaugh provides for the procedure and orders for additional medical opinions regarding physical or mental conditions in controversy. The bill is pending in the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 2.
by J. Nelson In January, Marc Zimmermann, Gig Costelloe, and I decided to push the issue regarding proper selection testing at the state board. Readers who have been following this story in recent issues of the Times know that the impetus for the problem is the finding that the EPPP has adverse impact on African-Americans. We filed a complaint that the Board did not have the skill set to handle the selection testing problems that have emerged.
We received a response to our complaint that stated the board members are “uniquely qualified" to do whatever it is they do, presumably including designing selection programs. At the same time, they said the matter had nothing to do with their practice of psychology, to which we might ask, “Then whose practice of psychology does it have to do with?" However, they said they were open to looking at the problem and to send them whatever we have.
So we sent them copies of Brian Sharpless’ articles showing adverse impact. Next we’re sending them some articles, including a copy of Samuel Messick's classic, “Validity of Psychological Assessment: Validation of Inferences from Persons Responses and Performances as Scientific Inquiry into Score Meaning."
We’re also going to send them copies of some EEOC guidelines indicating that once adverse impact is found you’re in a different ball game.
I frankly don’t know how to educate board members by sending them bits and pieces of science through the mail. It’s not like Zimmermann, Costelloe, and I learned this overnight. We have a century of combined experience in the trenches of preemployment selection testing, in a region of the country where we deal with adverse impact and its moral challenges.
In their letter, the board asked if we knew of another test without adverse impact to let them know. This question indicates that the members are not thinking in the big picture. Predictive validity and fairness are not in the test itself but how the tests are used. So here are a few tidbits of wisdom about designing selection programs.
It is not a good idea to use a single hurdle. You should use a multi-test battery that includes low or no adverse impact measurements.
You should set your cut off, if you have to use one at all, very carefully. Keep in mind the absurd idea that someone at the 49th percentile is considered unqualified while someone at the 50th is considered qualified.
It would be a good idea to come up with creative ways, that do not negatively impact your predictive validity, that reduce adverse impact. For instance, remedial training for those scoring in the low average range.
Content validity is not enough, especially with only 2.6% African-Americans contributing to the task analysis, as is the case with the EPPP.
In private industry people are competing for a scarce resource–a job position. The board has no such similar problem. They can give as many licenses as they want, so there is little danger of reverse discrimination.
These are just a few ideas to consider when designing complex selection systems. It is by no means an exhaustive list of issues to be addressed by the applied psychological scientist on the road to validity.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 3.
The Governor Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions in April
In April, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.
Dr. Granville A. Morse of Metairie has been appointed to the Louisiana Emergency Response Network Board (LERN). Dr. Morse is deputy coroner for Jefferson Parish. He was nominated by the Louisiana State Coroners Association.
The Louisiana Emergency Response Network Board serves to defend the public health, safety and welfare by protecting the people of the State of Louisiana against unnecessary deaths and morbidity due to trauma and time-sensitive illness.
The South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority provides behavioral health and development disability services to the residents of Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes.
Ron T. Dantin of Cut Off has been appointed to the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. Dantin is a licensed professional counselor for Lady of the Sea General Hospital. He will serve as an advocate in the field of mental health.
Lynne R. Farlough of LaPlace has been appointed to the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. Farlough is a trainer and intake supervisor for the Arc of St. Charles. She will serve as a parent of a child with developmental disabilities.
Adrian Kyle "Adriane" Watson of Morgan City has been appointed to the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. Watson is a utilization review coordinator for Beacon Behavioral Health. She will serve as an advocate in the field of addictive disorders.
Richard Adams of Thibodaux has been appointed to the Veterans Affairs Commission. Adams is a retried technical sergeant from the United States Air Force. He will serve at-large.
The Veterans Affairs Commission is responsible for adopting and promulgating rules and regulations governing the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Commission advises the department's Secretary of problems concerning the welfare of veterans and makes and publishes annual and special reports to the Governor concerning the operations of the department.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 6.
Mental Health License Plate Proposed by Sen. McMath's Bill Passes Easily in Senate
SB 61, which would create the "Mental Health" special prestige license plate, has passed committee and been voted on by the full Senate with 38 votes for and none against. It has been referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works in the House.
The proposed law requires the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to issue the special prestige license plates, provided there is a minimum of 1,000 applicants for the plate. The proposed law provides the design of the plate shall include the words "Mental Health" and directs the department to collect an annual royalty fee and forward certain percentages to the NAMI Louisiana and the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
HB 582 by Rep. Stagni that would add Louisiana to the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. The measure passed unanimously from the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Health and Welfare Committee. It is now pending in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
The proposed law allows Louisiana to join the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Louisiana, as a participating state, to adopt the same uniform professional counseling licensure requirements as the states in the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact.
The new proposed law establishes telehealth technology for states in the Compact.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
Rep. Jefferson's HB 272 to Change Law for Divorce Evaluations Passes House and Heads to the Senate
HB 272, authored by Rep. Jefferson has arrived in the Senate after passing the house and 92 to 0 on April 12. It is pending in Judiciary A. The measure provides for mental health evaluations in divorce and child custody proceedings. A notation indicates that the bill is on the recommendation of the Louisiana State Law Institute.
The present law (R.S. 9:327) allows a court to order a mental health evaluation of the parties when determining an award of final spousal support. The proposed law requires the appointed mental health professional to be licensed. Additionally, new language states:
"C. 'Licensed mental health professional' as used in this Chapter means a person who possesses at least a master's degree and who is licensed in counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family counseling.
"D. When a licensed mental health professional has been appointed by the court, there shall be no ex parte communication by the litigants or their attorneys with the licensed mental health professional unless authorized by law or court order or agreed to by the parties. All oral communication with the licensed mental health professional shall be by teleconference or meeting in which each party to the proceeding participates either through the party's attorney or as a self-represented litigant. All written communication or correspondence to the licensed mental health professional, along with any attachments thereto, shall be provided contemporaneously to all parties to the litigation or their attorneys of record."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
Rep. Frieman's Effort to Affirm Right to Reject Care on House Floor
HB 53 has passed the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure by 11 to 1 with one abstaining. It is scheduled for debate on the House Floor on May 3. The measure would add the right of Louisiana citizens to accept or reject any form of health care to the Constitution of Louisiana.
The proposed constitutional amendment adds the right to autonomy with respect to healthcare decisions including palliative care, medical treatments, surgical procedures, vaccines, or any other forms of medicine. Proposed constitutional amendment requires that any adverse treatment or denial of the right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
Proposed constitutional amendment states that any person adversely affected by a violation of this right shall have standing to raise its illegality in the appropriate court.
The measure provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on Nov. 8, 2022.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.