SB 386 creates Louisiana's first comprehensive data privacy law, granting residents the right to opt out of having their personal data shared by businesses. It directly affects Louisiana residents (as "consumers") and businesses collecting their data, requiring companies to provide clear choices about data use. Key provisions include a general opt-out right for data sharing, definitions of personal data (like location and biometrics), and specific protections for sensitive information such as health records. The law applies broadly to businesses processing data on Louisiana residents, not limited to social media platforms as the title suggests.
HB 916 adds a $5 fee for recording certain legal documents (like property deeds) with Louisiana clerks of court, effective January 1, 2027. The fee is collected by clerks and sent monthly to the Court Modernization and Technology Fund, which funds court technology upgrades and integration with a statewide electronic filing system. This directly affects individuals and businesses filing documents with local courts, as they will pay the additional fee. The funds specifically support modernizing court technology and creating a unified digital filing platform across all Louisiana courts.
HB 427, the "Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act," requires online platforms (like social media and video games) that contract with minors under 16 in Louisiana to prioritize minors' privacy. It mandates two key changes: setting minor accounts to private by default (visible only to connected users) and alerting legal guardians if minors encounter sexually explicit material. The bill directly affects platforms operating in Louisiana with minor users, defining "minor" as anyone under 16 not emancipated or married. These provisions aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and strengthen parental oversight through default settings and notification systems.
HB 445 transfers Louisiana's STEM Advisory Council from the Department of Education to Louisiana Works and redefines its responsibilities. The bill requires the council to create a statewide STEM education plan, coordinate programs with workforce needs, encourage industry funding, and establish a resource clearinghouse. It creates a dedicated STEM Education Fund to support student-focused programs (including robotics competitions via FIRST) from pre-K through college, funded by legislative appropriations and private donations. The council must submit annual reports to education committees and meet quarterly, with members able to participate electronically. This bill directly affects STEM education programs, schools, and industry partners across 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.
This bill updates Louisiana laws to allow clerks of court and related recorders to use electronic methods for filing, copying, and storing legal records. It authorizes these officials to purchase or lease equipment and software for converting existing paper documents into digital formats and permits them to use their salary funds to cover these costs. The legislation also establishes standards for electronic storage and allows clerks to return original documents to individuals after verifying that complete electronic copies have been made, while requiring certain permanent records like criminal files to be preserved electronically before any originals are destroyed.
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 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.
This bill establishes new rules for application stores in Louisiana to protect minors under 18 from inappropriate content and data collection. It requires app stores to verify users' ages and link accounts of anyone under 18 to a parent account that must give explicit consent before the minor can download apps, make purchases, or access certain features. Developers must provide clear information about age ratings, content descriptions, and data privacy practices before obtaining parental consent, and stores must notify users of significant changes to an app's functionality or data policies. The law also defines specific age categories and creates penalties for non-compliance while repealing a previous 2025 act on the same topic.
