This Louisiana statute establishes admission procedures for treatment facilities under the state's behavioral health commitment laws. Facility directors are required to receive persons for observation, diagnosis, care, and treatment when admission is authorized under the relevant commitment statutes, subject to the availability of suitable accommodations. Directors are not held in contempt of court for failing to comply with a commitment order if medically suitable accommodations are unavailable. The Louisiana Department of Health may also direct individuals to appropriate resources regarding commitment petitions and emergency certificates.
View official sourceLogin Sign-Up Home Laws Bills Sessions House Senate Committees Legislators My Legis 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions House Committees Senate Committees Miscellaneous Committees Scheduled Meetings Representatives Senators Caucuses and Delegations RS 28:51 §51. Procedures for admission A. The director of a treatment facility, subject to the availability of suitable accommodations, shall receive for observation, diagnosis, care, and treatment, any person whose admission is authorized under any of the procedures provided for in R.S. 28:52 through R.S. 28:54 and R.S. 28:64. B. The failure by any director to obey an order or judgment committing a patient to a treatment facility shall not be construed as contempt of any court, if it appears that the failure to obey is due to the inability to comply with the order or judgment because medically suitable accommodations for the patient are unavailable. C. The Louisiana Department of Health, through its hospitals, behavioral health clinics, and similar facilities, may direct petitioners and other persons to appropriate resources regarding petitions for commitment, requests for protective custody orders, and requests for emergency certificates upon request of such persons. Amended by Acts 1954, No. 701, §1; Acts 1966, No. 482, §1; Acts 1977, No. 714, §1; Acts 1979, No. 181, §1, eff. July 3, 1979; Acts 2017, No. 369, §2; Acts 2017, No. 369, §2. If you experience any technical difficulties navigating this website, contact the webmaster. P.O. Box 94062 (900 North Third Street) Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9062