2013 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 37 - Professions and Occupations
RS 37:3389 - Transition; Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

§3389. Transition; Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

A. The regulation of addictive disorder treatment and prevention professionals has been undertaken both through a board appointed by the governor and through an office within the Department of Health and Hospitals. In Louisiana, the practice of most health care professions is licensed and regulated by appointed boards placed within the Department of Health and Hospitals. Therefore, the legislature hereby finds it appropriate that the responsibility and authority to regulate the practice of addictive disorder treatment and prevention be exercised by a licensing board created for that purpose.

B. The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) is hereby created within the Department of Health and Hospitals. The ADRA shall be governed by a board of directors, hereinafter referred to as the "board", consisting of seven voting members and one nonvoting member, all of whom shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, as follows:

(1) One nonvoting member who possesses significant knowledge in the area of addiction from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana State Medical Society.

(2) One voting member who possesses significant experience and knowledge in the area of compulsive gambling from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc.

(3) One voting member who possesses significant experience and knowledge in the area of prevention from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc.

(4) One voting member who possesses significant experience and knowledge in the area of opiate replacement therapy from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc.

(5) Four voting members from a list of twelve names divided into four groups of three names each submitted by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc.

C. Members of the board shall serve three-year terms except that in making the initial appointments, the governor shall appoint two voting members for a one-year term, three voting members for a two-year term, and two voting members for a three-year term. The nonvoting member shall serve an initial term of three years. Members appointed to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or removal shall serve the unexpired terms of their predecessors.

D. The nominees shall be submitted to the governor on or before September 1, 2006. The governor shall select the individuals to serve on the board on or before October 15, 2006. The individuals so selected shall serve as the advisory committee for the ADRA until July 1, 2007, at which time they shall begin to serve and function as the board of directors for the ADRA. The terms of office described in this Subsection shall commence on July 1, 2007.

E. Members of the board shall elect a chairman and such other officers as it deems necessary to carry out the duties and functions of the board. The ADRA may employ persons necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter and may fix their compensation. The ADRA shall employ at least three persons: an executive director, an assistant director, and an administrative assistant. The Department of Health and Hospitals, office of addictive disorders, shall be responsible for providing staff for the ADRA until June 30, 2009. From July 1, 2009, and thereafter the board of the ADRA shall resume full responsibility for providing staff for the ADRA. Employees of the board shall be eligible to participate in the state group benefits plan and in the state retirement system.

F. A majority of the voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business.

G. It is the intent of the legislature that the board exercise all regulatory jurisdiction over the credentialing and practice of addiction counselors and prevention professionals, persons holding specialty certifications issued by the board, paraprofessionals authorized by this Chapter, and those in training to become addiction counselors and prevention professionals.

Acts 2004, No. 803, §3, eff. July 8, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 427, §2.