SB 289: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for confidentiality of certain information in public records requests for universities. (8/1/26) - Louisiana

SB289 Original → SB289 Act 596 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Louisiana's public records law to add specific exemptions for university records, protecting the privacy of job applicants for high-level roles, donors, and sensitive research data. It replaces the previous statute with a new section that clarifies when these records remain private versus when they must be released to the public.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of exemptions to include specific categories not fully detailed in the original draft, such as whistleblower information and victims of violence, while also modifying the conditions under which executive-level applicant records become public.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific exemption for records identifying donors who request confidentiality, ensuring their names remain private unless they consent to disclosure.

TIMELINE

Clarified that applicant records for executive positions (like president or coach) become public only after the governing board approves a finalist, rather than immediately upon being named a finalist.

REQUIREMENT

Included new protections for whistleblowers and victims of violence or abuse, shielding their personally identifiable information from public release if it is in the custody of the university.

Updated the timeline for proprietary research and industry partnership records, specifying a maximum confidentiality period of 18 months (12 months plus an additional 6 months) before they must be made public.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original effective date of August 1, 2026, and repealed the previous specific statute numbers to replace them with the new comprehensive text.

SB289 Enrolled → SB289 Original · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from an enrolled version to an original draft and significantly simplified. The detailed list of exemptions for university records, donor privacy, and research confidentiality was replaced with a single, high-level summary statement. Specific legal sections defining these protections were removed, leaving only a brief digest to explain the bill's intent.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from a detailed legal framework with specific exemptions to a general statement of intent. The specific criteria for protecting applicant resumes, donor names, and research data were removed from the operative text.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific legal definitions and detailed exemptions for presidential/chancellor applicant records, donor confidentiality, and proprietary research.

Deleted the repeal of R.S. 44:4(56) and the enactment of specific new sections (44:4(65)-(67)) that defined the scope of exemptions.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document status from 'Enrolled' (final version) to 'Original' (draft version) and removed the formal signatures of the Governor and legislative officers.

SB289 Reengrossed → SB289 Enrolled · 3 edits · May 19, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized as 'Enrolled' after being 'Reengrossed,' indicating it has passed all legislative stages and is ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive text of the law remains largely consistent, but the final version clarifies that executive-level job applicant records become public only after the top three finalists are approved, and it explicitly exempts records regarding industry partnership negotiations from disclosure.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding university records remains focused on confidentiality for executive applicants, donors, and research, with no changes to the fundamental categories of protected information.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that applicant records for top executive positions remain confidential until the governing board approves the top three finalists, at which point those specific records become public.

REQUIREMENT

Added an explicit exemption for records containing information about negotiations for industry partnerships if disclosure would harm the negotiations.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document status from 'Reengrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted the title page to reflect the final legislative version.

SB289 Engrossed → SB289 Reengrossed · 4 edits · Mar 30, 2026

MODERATE

This revision expands the list of protected executive positions to include senior vice chancellors and clarifies that applicant records remain private until a finalist is officially approved by the governing board, rather than just named. It also clarifies that the exemption for non-finalist applicants continues indefinitely, while donor records are now explicitly exempt only when held by the institution's foundation. These changes strengthen privacy protections for job candidates and refine the scope of confidential donor information.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include senior vice chancellors in the list of protected executive positions and clarified the conditions under which applicant records become public.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'senior vice chancellors' to the list of executive positions whose applicant records are exempt from public disclosure.

Changed the trigger for making applicant records public from being 'officially named' by the board to being 'approved' by the board.

ADDED

Clarified that the exemption for applicant records continues for anyone who is not named a finalist for the position.

MODIFIED

Updated the donor records exemption to specify that records held by the foundation remain confidential when received by the parent institution.

PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for confidentiality of certain information in public records requests for universities. (8/1/26)

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