§ 29:770 — Public information regarding a public health emergency; access to mental health

Louisiana § 29:770

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 29: Minerals, Oil and Gas and Environmental Quality

Text

§770. Public information regarding a public health emergency; access to mental health
support personnel; access to members of the clergy
A. Dissemination of information.
(1) In addition to the information provided in the declaration of a state of public
health emergency as set out in R.S. 29:766(B), the secretary of the Louisiana Department of
Health or his designee shall inform the public how to protect themselves during a state of
public health emergency, and what actions are being taken to control the emergency.
(2) Means of dissemination. The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health
or his designee shall provide information by all available and reasonable means calculated
to bring the information promptly to the attention of the general public.
(3) Languages. If the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his
designee has reason to believe there are large numbers of people of the state who lack
sufficient skills in English to understand the information, the public health authority shall
make reasonable efforts to provide the information in the primary languages of those people
as well as in English.
(4) Access. The provision of information shall be made in a manner accessible to
individuals with disabilities.
B. Access to mental health support personnel.
(1) During a declaration of a state of public health emergency, the secretary of the
Louisiana Department of Health or his designee shall provide information about and referrals
to mental health support personnel to address psychological responses to the public health
emergency. The information provided may include the availability of no-cost or reduced-cost
counseling or mental health support services from licensed mental health professionals
offered by religious organizations or other nonprofit organizations. The information provided
may also include no-cost emotional or spiritual support offered by clergy.
(2) After a declaration of a state of public health emergency, the secretary of the
Louisiana Department of Health or his designee shall provide information about and referrals
to mental health support personnel to address psychological responses to the public health
emergency. The information provided may include the availability of no-cost or reduced-cost
counseling or mental health support services from licensed mental health professionals
offered by religious organizations or other nonprofit organizations. The information provided
may also include no-cost emotional or spiritual support offered by clergy.

Legislative History

Acts 2003, No. 1206, §1; Acts 2020, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Oct. 28, 2020.