During an emergency declaration, the Louisiana Department of Health may regulate volunteer health practitioners, and host entities using them must verify credentials and coordinate with the department.
§784. Regulation of services during emergency A. While an emergency declaration is in effect, the Louisiana Department of Health may limit, restrict, or otherwise regulate: (1) The duration of practice by volunteer health practitioners. (2) The geographical areas in which volunteer health practitioners may practice. (3) The types of volunteer health practitioners who may practice. (4) Any other matters necessary to coordinate effectively the provision of health services during the emergency. B. An order issued pursuant to Subsection A of this Section may take effect immediately and shall be promulgated as an emergency rule as provided in R.S. 49:962. C. A host entity that uses volunteer health practitioners to provide health services in this state shall: (1) Consult and coordinate its activities with the Louisiana Department of Health, to the extent practical, to provide for the efficient and effective use of volunteer health practitioners. (2) Verify the identity of the volunteer health practitioner. (3) Confirm that the volunteer health practitioner is registered with a registration system that complies with R.S. 29:785. (4) Confirm that the registration system has verified the accuracy of information concerning whether a health practitioner meets the requirements of R.S. 29:786. (5) Confirm that the volunteer health practitioner has not had a license revoked, suspended, or placed under the terms, conditions, or restrictions in any state according to the National Practitioner Data Bank which shall be queried before the volunteer health practitioner is permitted to begin work or as soon thereafter as is possible under the circumstances. (6) Notify the appropriate state licensing authority of any adverse action against the volunteer's privileges. (7) Comply with any laws relating to the management of emergency health services. D. A host entity is not required to use the services of a volunteer health practitioner even if the practitioner is registered with a registration system that indicates that the practitioner holds a license in good standing. E. A secure registration card shall satisfy the requirements of Paragraphs (C)(2), (3), and (4) of this Section and may be used for verification of credentials by a host entity while an emergency declaration is in effect. Acts 2009, No. 397, §1; Acts 2021, No. 211, §5.