Louisiana SB289: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for confidentiality of certain information in public records requests for universities. (8/1/26)

What the bill says

An act To enact R.S. 44:4(65) through (67), relative to public records; to provide for exemptions to the public records law for certain university records; to provide for confidentiality of applicants for certain executive-level university positions; to provide for the privacy of university donors; to provide for the confidentiality of research and proprietary information at universities; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact R.S. 44:4(65) through (67), relative to public records; to provide for exemptions to the public records law for certain university records; to provide for confidentiality of applicants for certain executive-level university positions; to provide for the privacy of university donors; to provide for the confidentiality of research and proprietary information at universities; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 44:4(65) through (67) are hereby enacted to read as follows: §4. Exemptions This Chapter shall not apply: * * * (65) To any record, including resumes, applications, and identifying information, of an applicant for an executive-level or high-impact position at a public postsecondary education institution, including but not limited to presidents, chancellors, deans, and athletic coaches. This exception shall expire once a "finalist" for the position is officially named by the governing board, at which point the records of the finalist and anyone else that applied for the Page 1 of Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SLS 26RS-507 ORIGINAL SB NO. position shall become public. (66) To any record that identifies or could lead to the identification of a private donor or prospective donor to a public postsecondary education institution or its affiliated …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Abraham, Mark (R, 25) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. June 1, 2026: Effective date 8/1/2026.
2. June 1, 2026: Becomes Act No. 596 without the Governor's signature.
3. May 20, 2026: Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
4. May 19, 2026: Signed by the Speaker of the House.
5. May 19, 2026: Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
6. May 18, 2026: Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 35 yeas and 2 nays.
7. May 11, 2026: Received from the House with amendments.
8. May 7, 2026: Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
9. May 6, 2026: Scheduled for floor debate on 05/07/2026.
10. May 5, 2026: Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

Votes

• Senate Vote on SB 289, CONCUR (#905) (May 18, 2026): 35 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Vote on SB 289, FINAL PASSAGE (#1012) (May 7, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on SB 289, FINAL PASSAGE (#200) (March 30, 2026): 36 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB289?

SB289 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for confidentiality of certain information in public records requests for universities. (8/1/26).

What does SB289 do?

In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 44:4(65) through (67), relative to public records; to provide for exemptions to the public records law for certain university records; to provide for confidentiality of applicants for certain executive-level university positions; to provide for the privacy of university donors; to provide for the confidentiality of research and proprietary information at universities; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of SB289?

Chaptered as of June 1, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 8/1/2026. (June 1, 2026).

Who sponsored SB289?

Abraham, Mark (R, 25).

Where is the official record for SB289?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=SB289