HB 475 requires healthcare providers in Louisiana to obtain a patient's verbal consent before using artificial intelligence to transcribe medical appointments or treatments. If a patient declines consent, providers must conduct the appointment without AI transcription. This bill directly affects licensed healthcare professionals and their patients by establishing a clear consent process for AI-assisted documentation. The key provision mandates that providers cannot use AI transcription tools without explicit patient agreement, with an opt-out option ensuring no forced use of the technology. The legislation focuses solely on the consent requirement for AI transcription, not general recording practices.
HB 632 requires Louisiana public schools, including charter schools, to share student personal information (such as Social Security numbers, full names, and dates of birth) with the state Department of Education. The state must then create unique identifiers from this data, remove all personal details, and share only nonpersonal information with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center and other designated state entities for research under the LA FIRST system. The bill mandates that schools provide current student data plus five years of historical records, updated annually. This data-sharing mechanism is designed to support research and analysis while explicitly prohibiting the use of personally identifiable information in studies.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Agricultural Center to keep researching new equipment that reduces the need to burn sugarcane fields after harvest. The request specifically targets these organizations and agricultural manufacturers to develop technology that addresses air quality and soil health concerns while maintaining efficient farming practices. As a procedural measure, the resolution does not create new laws or regulations but instead formally encourages ongoing collaborative work on this specific agricultural issue.
This bill establishes a Task Force on Blockchain and Digital Innovation to study and report on developments in these technologies. The legislation directly affects the secretary of state, who is tasked with leading or overseeing the task force's work. Key provisions include setting the task force's operational timeline and explicitly assigning the secretary of state as the responsible official. Recent amendments adjust specific dates within the bill and clarify the secretary of state's role in the process.
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 488 establishes a pilot program to use drones as part of school safety and crisis response plans. The bill directly affects school districts by allowing them to incorporate drone technology into their existing emergency management strategies. It requires the state to fund this pilot program to test how drones can assist during school emergencies. The legislation amends the title to refer to 'Education' instead of 'Schools' to broaden the scope of the program.
SB 233 establishes the Louisiana Statewide Data Exchange Compact, creating a standardized framework for secure data sharing between state agencies. It requires the Office of Technology Services to administer the compact, which agencies can voluntarily join to share sensitive information while meeting legal data security requirements. The compact mandates that participating agencies implement safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of shared data. This applies to all state departments, boards, universities, and other covered agencies that choose to adopt the agreement.
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.
SB 347 adds "unlawful deepfake" to the definition of "power-based violence" under Louisiana's Campus Accountability and Safety Act. The bill defines a "deepfake" as manipulated audio or video falsely appearing authentic to a reasonable observer, excluding political commentary, news, satire, or clearly disclosed content. This change directly affects college and university campuses in Louisiana, expanding how institutions address certain forms of harassment. The policy amendment specifically targets deepfakes used to control or intimidate others, aligning with existing campus safety definitions without creating new criminal penalties.
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.
