§ 40:1123.5 — Prenatal screening for substance use disorder

Louisiana § 40:1123.5

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 40: Public Health and Safety

Text

§1123.5. Prenatal screening for substance use disorder
A. Every licensed healthcare provider who provides prenatal care to a pregnant
woman shall screen her for substance use disorder during the first trimester of pregnancy or
at the time of first examination after confirming pregnancy, if the provider utilizing his
professional medical judgment believes that the screening would be in the best interest of the
patient and such screening has not already occurred. The healthcare provider providing such
screening shall utilize a validated verbal screening tool for substance use disorder that aligns
with standards of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Louisiana
Department of Health, office of public health, shall post a list of approved validated verbal
screening tools on its website. For purposes of this Section, "licensed healthcare provider"
means a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.
B. After administering the screening provided for in Subsection A of this Section,
a licensed healthcare provider who determines that a pregnant woman is at risk for substance
use disorder shall refer the woman for appropriate treatment.

Legislative History

Acts 2025, No. 437, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.