Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 28, § 476. Declaration of policy

The legislature hereby declares that it is the policy of this state as declared and established in this Title, particularly in the Developmental Disability Law and the Behavioral Health Law, that persons with mental or physical disabilities are entitled to live in the least restrictive environment in their own community and in normal residential surroundings and should not be excluded therefrom because of their disabilities.  The legislature further declares that the provisions of this Chapter are intended to secure to all of the citizens of this state the right to individual dignity as provided in Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of Louisiana and to protect the rights and promote the happiness and general welfare of the people of this state.  To that end, the legislature hereby declares that the provisions of this Chapter are an exercise of the police power reserved to the state by Article I, Section 4 and Article VI, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana.