SB 289 adds new exemptions to Louisiana's public records law for specific university records. It makes applicant information for executive roles (like presidents or athletic coaches) confidential until a finalist is named, protects donor identities (unless consented to disclosure), and shields proprietary research, unpublished data, and IP-related records from public requests. These exemptions expire when research is published, a patent is granted, or the institution determines the information no longer requires confidentiality. The bill directly affects public universities, job applicants for leadership positions, university donors, and researchers seeking to keep certain work private.
SB 346 prohibits K-12 schools and staff from creating or sharing deepfake audio or video content intended to coerce, harass, intimidate, or maliciously distribute against students. It defines "deepfake" as digitally altered media falsely appearing authentic (excluding political satire, news commentary, or clearly disclosed parodies), and requires the State Board of Education to develop implementation rules. The law directly affects all Louisiana public and private K-12 students and school employees, banning the use of manipulated media for harmful purposes. Key provisions include clear prohibitions on malicious deepfakes while preserving protected speech like satire, with enforcement through state education rules. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.
HB 259 requires excavators or demolishers using federal BEAD Program funding (for broadband infrastructure) to provide one week's notice before work begins. If they damage underground utility infrastructure, they must immediately stop further damage, notify affected parties, and cover all repair costs. The bill also states that such entities cannot receive final reimbursement from Louisiana's broadband office until they fix any damage. This applies specifically to projects funded by the BEAD Program, not general construction activities.
HB 853 prevents private companies from misleading consumers with solicitations that mimic government communications. It bans using fake government seals, references to state laws, or phrases like "final notice" to trick people into thinking a bill is from the government. Businesses must include clear disclaimers stating the offer isn’t government-related and explain subscription terms upfront. Violators face $1,000 fines per violation, plus triple damages for consumers harmed. The law directly affects all non-government businesses sending customer solicitations in Louisiana.
HB 67 amends Louisiana law to require removal of personal information for individuals recognized as "protected" (such as victims of certain crimes or abuse) from public records maintained by the secretary of state and district clerks. It directly affects these protected individuals by ensuring their personal details - like addresses or contact information - are not left publicly accessible online or in physical court files. The bill mandates that offices must proactively remove such information from publicly posted records, rather than allowing individuals to opt out of removal. This creates a concrete policy change to enhance privacy for vulnerable groups in government databases.
SB 290 requires Louisiana's state Department of Education to obtain approval from a local public school system before changing a student's "exit code" in the state data system if it differs from the code assigned by the school. This directly affects the state education department and local school systems, as it mandates their collaboration before altering certain student data. The key provision adds a requirement to existing law, ensuring schools have a say in how their students' data is recorded in the state system. This is a procedural change to data management, not a substantive education policy shift. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.
HB 55 prohibits the public disclosure of jurors' personal information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, images, or likenesses, to protect juror privacy and safety. It allows courts to disclose such information only if a person demonstrates "good cause" and the court approves, while permitting courts to limit disclosures to safeguard juror identity. Violating this prohibition carries penalties of up to $1,000 fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill specifically exempts these privacy protections from Louisiana's public records laws, ensuring juror details remain confidential unless court-approved.
This bill asks the state's Public Service Commission to examine distributed energy generation and storage options for residents of this state. It directs the commission to study how these technologies can benefit local communities and includes a requirement to send a copy of the resolution to the commission's chairman. The text was amended to replace specific references to "Louisiana" with "this state" and to change mandatory language to a request. Ultimately, the measure serves as a formal request for the commission to conduct a study rather than a law that immediately changes regulations.
This bill directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to conduct a study on the use of remote online notarization for specific legal documents known as authentic acts. It asks the institute to examine which types of documents are suitable for this digital process and to recommend rules for those that are not appropriate for remote execution. The legislation does not change current laws or authorize remote notarization immediately but instead initiates a review to inform future policy decisions.
HB 141 requires attorneys to remove specific personal information from court filings starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting lawyers who file documents. The bill prohibits including the first five digits of Social Security numbers, tax IDs, driver's license numbers, full birth dates, financial account numbers, or other protected data. It mandates electronic filing systems (with paper as an alternative) managed by Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority, ensuring filings are deemed filed at the time of electronic confirmation. Public access to electronically filed documents will follow existing rules for paper filings. The law aims to protect individuals' private information from being exposed in court records.
