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HB 1139

MENTAL HEALTH: Requires certain behavioral health services for patients receiving treatment pursuant to an emergency certificate

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Fisher

HB 1139 requires a 72-hour behavioral health evaluation, timely discharge planning with provider communications, patient education, and a guaranteed 14-day medication supply at dis

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1139

Summary of HB 1139 (2026, Louisiana)

Purpose and intent

HB 1139 establishes additional discharge and admission procedures for patients treated in Louisiana facilities under an emergency certificate for inpatient behavioral health services. The bill aims to ensure proper evaluation, treatment history documentation, timely communication with other health providers, patient education, and guaranteed medication access at discharge.

Key provisions and changes

  • Admission requirements (within 72 hours of admission)

    • A licensed healthcare professional must conduct a behavioral health evaluation of the patient to identify any underlying behavioral health conditions.
    • The admitting facility must contact the patient’s known primary healthcare provider or licensed behavioral health professional to establish a treatment history.

  • Discharge requirements (discharge planning and follow-up)

    • The discharge planner must notify any healthcare professional currently providing services to the patient (in writing or by phone) of the patient’s scheduled discharge date and time, unless the patient objects.
    • If the patient is being referred for follow-up behavioral health services, the facility must notify the relevant healthcare professional within 24 hours of discharge.
    • The healthcare professional receiving the patient’s discharge referral must be provided with a summary of the patient’s medical history and current mental health conditions, no later than the date the follow-up appointment is scheduled.
    • The facility must provide educational documents from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to the patient and family/criends about warning signs of self-harm and the importance of continuing behavioral health treatment after discharge. These documents must also explain that privacy laws do not prohibit family/friends from sharing information with treating healthcare professionals.
    • Medication provision at discharge: The facility must provide, at minimum, a 14-day supply of medication prescribed to treat the patient’s behavioral health condition.

  • Additional discharge planning duties (new or enhanced)

    • If the patient does not currently have a healthcare professional for primary or behavioral health services, the facility must refer the patient to an appropriate provider.

Who would be affected

  • Patients admitted under an emergency certificate for inpatient behavioral health services in Louisiana facilities.
  • Healthcare facilities that administer inpatient behavioral health services must implement the evaluation, communication, education, and discharge medication provisions.
  • Primary care physicians and behavioral health professionals who are involved in the patient’s treatment history and ongoing follow-up care.
  • Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to develop and publish the patient- and family-directed educational documents on self-harm warning signs and post-discharge behavioral health care.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill sets a clear 72-hour window after admission for the initial behavioral health evaluation and history establishment.
  • Discharge communications are time-bound:
    • Notification to current providers should occur at discharge planning, unless objected by the patient.
    • A follow-up referral notification must occur within 24 hours of discharge.
    • A summary of medical history and current mental health conditions must be provided to the follow-up provider in time for the scheduled appointment.
  • Educational materials from LDH must be provided prior to or at discharge.
  • A minimum 14-day supply of prescribed medication must be provided at discharge.

Summary assessment

HB 1139 strengthens continuity of care for patients treated under emergency certificates by ensuring timely evaluation, documentation of treatment history, proactive communication with treating providers, patient and family education, and guaranteed short-term medication access at discharge. These provisions aim to reduce gaps in care, improve follow-up adherence, and support safer post-discharge transitions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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