The health department secretary or designee must tell the public how to protect themselves during a public health emergency and provide mental health support information and referrals.
§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. Acts 2003, No. 1206, §1; Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Oct. 28, 2020.