§1121.24. Use of controlled dangerous substances while pregnant; multidisciplinary team
A. A district attorney in a parish with a population of not less than twenty-seven
thousand and not more than thirty thousand, a parish with a population of not less than one
hundred fifty thousand and not more than one hundred sixty thousand, and a parish with a
population of not less than three hundred thousand and not more than four hundred thousand
according to the most recent federal decennial census may convene a multidisciplinary team
to assist in making a determination of the appropriate disposition of a case where a pregnant
woman under arrest tests positive for controlled dangerous substances for which she does not
have a valid, legal prescription, as provided for in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous
Substances Law. Each member of the multidisciplinary team shall serve a term of two years.
B. The multidisciplinary team may include but is not limited to the following
persons:
(1) A Louisiana board-certified physician trained in obstetrics and gynecology.
(2) A licensed nurse with experience in caring for drug- or alcohol-exposed newborn
infants.
(3) A law enforcement officer employed by a local or state law enforcement agency.
(4) An employee of the Department of Children and Family Services with a
background and experience with federal and state benefits, such as Medicaid.
(5) An individual associated with a nonprofit organization with a background and
experience in charitable and faith-based resources for treatment of alcohol and drug abuse
or addiction.
(6) A licensed social worker or counselor with training and experience in the
treatment of drug or alcohol addiction.
C. As used in this Section, "appropriate disposition" may include but shall not be
limited to filing a petition for involuntary commitment as provided for in R.S. 28:53 and 53.2
to a public facility or a private facility willing to accept the pregnant woman for treatment.
D. The authority provided by the provisions of this Section shall exist from the time
of arrest to the time of dismissal, acquittal, or conviction.
Acts 2012, No. 579, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1094 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.