WBRZ - Baton Rouge

State lawmakers could slow down Gov.Bobby Jindal's plans to hire outside contractors to run some of
Louisiana's inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities - if the Senate agrees to a proposal that has won House backing.

The House voted 64-27 Thursday for a bill that would give lawmakers the ability to reject any privatization contracts involving the state's mental hospitals. That includes two such facilities the Jindal administration proposes to privatize in the upcoming budget year.

Rep. John Bel Edwards, the sponsor of the bill, says lawmakers should have a say in contracts that could obligate the state for more than 20 years, cost millions of dollars and change the way the
state delivers mental health care.

Opponents say the bill is improper meddling in the state's contracting process and would slow down plans that could save the state millions.