2025-128 - Laserfiche WebLink

STATE OF LOUISIANA ��F,LOUls,f DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE y�J�`r;, �'�,�c�^99 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS , ��, ,' � P.O. BOX 4368 * ��" * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 C�NFIDEN�'� �ZZS�Z19'rJBOO �••»o.••' FAX:(225)381-7271 1-800-842-6630 www.ethics.la.gov May 6, 2025 Roy Baas Chair Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority 4919 Jamestown Ave. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808 Re: Docket No. 2025-128 Advisory Opinion Dear Mr. Baas: The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its meeting on May 2, 2025, considered your request for an advisory opinion on behalf of the Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics("Code")prohibits members of the ADRA from being members of the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselor and Trainers, Inc. (LASACT)while the ADRA leases office space from LASACT. FACTS PROVIDED The ADRA is created by and regulated by the Addictive Disorder Practice Act, La. R.S. 37:3386- 3390.6. The ADRA is a state licensing board created within the Louisiana Department of Health and is responsible for and authorized to regulate the practice of addictive treatment and prevention, La. R.S. 37:3386.2 A and B. The ADR.A exercises all regulatory authority jurisdiction over the credentialing and practice of addiction counselors, prevention professionals, persons holding specialty certifications issued by the ADRA, professionals authorized by the Addictive Disorder Practice Act, and those in training to Uecome addiction counselors, La. R.S. 37:3386.2G. The qualifications for Board members are set forth in La. R.S. 37:3786.2B(1)-(6). La. R.S. 37:3386.2B(5)provides that three of the Board members appointed by the governor are to be selected by the governor from a "list of nine names divided into three groups of three names each submitted by LASACT. Those three ADRA members are currently Roy Baas, Catrice L. Tolbert, and Catherine Lemieux. LASACT is dedicated to helping addiction professionals in Louisiana develop their skills in tlleir careers. The LASACT mission is to promote and enhance addiction professionals and providers in areas of treatment,education,prevention and advocacy. LASACT is run by a Board of Directors and operated by a staff under the direction of an Executive Director, hired by the Board of Directors. The testing required for licensing by the ADRA is administered by LASACT. The license applicant pays LASACT for the testing,which results LASACT reports to the ADRA. Four of the current members of the ADRA are also members of LASACT, specifically, Roy Baas, Paul Schoen, Catherine Lemieux and Susan Thornton.No ADRA board inember is an officer, director, Page 1 of 4 (BD 2025-128) AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER