Bill > SB289

This bill enacts a new law to create exemptions to Louisiana's public records law for certain information held by public universities. Specifically, it will shield from public disclosure the applications and personally identifiable information of candidates for high-level university positions like president or chancellor, unless the applicant agrees to disclosure; this information will become public once a candidate is approved by the governing board, with the top three finalists' records also becoming public at that point. The bill also protects the identities of university donors who request their information remain confidential, as well as proprietary, unpublished, or incomplete academic research and unsubmitted grant applications until such information is publicly disclosed, announced, or intellectual property rights are granted or denied. Additionally, it allows for the temporary confidentiality of records related to negotiations for industry partnerships if disclosure would harm the talks, with a limit of twelve months, extendable by six more if negotiations remain active. Finally, the bill clarifies that this new confidentiality does not apply to information related to reports of student or employee safety violations, including the identities of those reporting, witnesses, and potential victims of violence or abuse, unless otherwise required by law or court order.