Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 28, § 52.2. Formal voluntary admission

A. Any person who has a mental illness or person who is suffering from a substance-related or addictive disorder desiring admission to a treatment facility for diagnosis or treatment of a psychiatric disorder or a substance-related or addictive disorder and who is deemed suitable for formal voluntary admission by the admitting physician or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is acting in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement may be so admitted upon his written request.

B. A patient admitted under the provisions of this Section shall not be detained in the treatment facility for longer than seventy-two hours after making a valid written request for discharge to the director or administrator of the treatment facility unless an emergency certificate is executed pursuant to R.S. 28:53, or unless judicial commitment is instituted pursuant to R.S. 28:54.