The bill enacts R.S. 44:3.7, which establishes specific exemptions to the public records law for certain records held by public postsecondary education institutions in Louisiana. It provides confidentiality for applicants for executive-level positions, such as president or chancellor, allowing their applications and personally identifiable information to remain undisclosed unless they authorize it. This confidentiality lasts until the governing board approves an applicant, at which point the records of the top three finalists become public. Additionally, the bill protects the identities of donors who wish to remain anonymous, proprietary research information, and records related to negotiations for industry partnerships, with certain conditions regarding the duration of confidentiality.

Furthermore, the bill repeals R.S. 44:4(56), which likely contained previous provisions related to public records. The new law also ensures that the personally identifiable information of individuals reporting violations of student conduct codes or related policies remains confidential, particularly in cases involving violence or abuse. This legislation aims to enhance privacy and confidentiality for individuals and sensitive information within the university system while maintaining transparency for certain records once specific conditions are met.

Statutes affected:
SB289 Enrolled: 44:4(56)
SB289 Act 596: 44:4(56)