Senate Bill No. SLS 26RS-642, also known as the "Research and Education Protection Act of 2026," establishes the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to protect the state's educational and research institutions from foreign adversaries. The council will be responsible for developing research security policies, training research security officers, and vetting any gifts, contracts, or partnerships from foreign sources. Institutions of higher education are required to seek assessments from federal law enforcement regarding potential national security risks associated with foreign engagements, and the council has the authority to approve or veto these proposals. The Board of Regents is tasked with maintaining a public web portal to disclose these proposals and their outcomes, ensuring transparency in the process.

The bill imposes strict regulations on institutions regarding their interactions with foreign adversaries, including prohibiting contracts or partnerships linked to military or intelligence operations and requiring policies to prevent faculty participation in foreign recruitment programs. Cultural exchange agreements must be scrutinized for risks to state and national security. The legislation also outlines enforcement mechanisms, including investigations by the attorney general and penalties for non-compliance, while mandating institutions to report interactions with foreign adversaries and review educational software for associations with foreign threats. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, unless vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature.