Senate Bill No. 421, introduced by Senator Miller, amends Louisiana law to enhance the responsibilities of district clerks of court and ex officio recorders regarding the management of court records. The bill permits these clerks to create additional copies of records and acquire necessary equipment and services for converting records into electronic formats, with the ability to cover associated costs from their salary funds. A key provision emphasizes the preservation of original records, particularly criminal records, by mandating that clerks retain electronic copies before any destruction of original documents. The bill also updates terminology in existing laws and clarifies reproduction methods to ensure compliance with preservation standards.

Furthermore, the legislation repeals R.S. 44:118 and modifies R.S. 44:40 and R.S. 44:116 to reflect the new definitions and responsibilities, including the specific reference to "district clerks of court" and "ex officio recorders." It introduces definitions for terms like "convert" and "electronic digitizing process" to enhance clarity. The bill maintains protections for clerks against claims related to the destruction of original records, provided they follow proper preservation procedures and obtain written approval from the state archivist. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB421 Original: 44:40(A)