§ 17:1948 — Cameras in certain classrooms; definitions; required policies; confidentiality;

§1948. Cameras in certain classrooms; definitions; required policies; confidentiality;
authorization of funding
A.(1) Each public school governing authority shall adopt policies relative to the
installation and operation of cameras that record both video and audio in a classroom.
(2) Each public school governing authority shall install a camera in each classroom
and verify periodically that the camera remains in operation.
(3) Should a camera be out of operation for more than two consecutive school days,
the school shall provide notice to parents of students in the affected classroom via normal
school communication channels.
(4) Each governing authority shall submit a copy of the policies adopted pursuant to
this Section to the state Department of Education. Within ten days of any revision of the
policies, each governing authority shall submit a copy of the policies to the department.
B. For purposes of this Section, "classroom" shall mean a self-contained classroom
or other special education setting in which a majority of students in regular attendance are
provided special education and related services and are assigned to one or more
self-contained classrooms or other special education settings for at least fifty percent of the
instructional day. "Classroom" shall not mean special education classrooms and other
special education settings where the only students with exceptionalities receiving special
education and related services are those who have been deemed to be gifted or talented and
have not been identified as also having a disability.
C. The policies shall include provisions for the following:
(1) The location and placement of cameras, including a prohibition against the
recording of the interior of a restroom or any area designated for students to change or
remove clothing.
(2) Written notice of the placement of the cameras to be provided to persons who
enter a classroom where a camera is installed, including teachers and other school employees,
students in the classroom, the students' parents and legal guardians, and authorized visitors.
(3) Training concerning the provisions of this Section for any teacher or other school
employee who provides services in a classroom where cameras are installed.
(4) The retention, storage, and disposal of the video and audio data recorded,
including a requirement that the recordings be retained for at least one month from the
recording date.
(5) Protecting student privacy and for determining to whom and under what
circumstances the recordings may be disclosed including:
(a) Limiting viewing of the recordings to the superintendent or his designee and the
parent or legal guardian of a recorded student upon request.
(b) Requiring any person who views a recording and who suspects the recordings
show a violation of state or federal law to report the suspected violation to the appropriate
law enforcement agency.
(6) Requiring each camera installed to be in compliance with the National Fire
Protection Association's Life Safety Code.
(7) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 479, §3, eff. Fe. 1, 2026.
(8) Procedures regarding how a parent or legal guardian may request to review a
recording, under what circumstances a request may be made, and any limitations to a request.
(9) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 479, §3, eff. Feb. 1, 2026.
D.(1) Recordings made pursuant to this Section shall be confidential and shall not
be public record. However, a recording may be viewed by the superintendent or his
designee, the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student, or by law enforcement officials
as provided in the policies required by Paragraph (C)(5) of this Section.
(2) The recordings shall not be considered "personally identifiable information" as
defined in R.S. 17:3914.
E.(1) The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school is
authorized to accept, administer, and make use of federal, state, and local funds, any public
and private grants and donations, and, when considered appropriate and feasible, to accept
nonmonetary resources in the form of services or equipment for use in connection with the
installation and operation of cameras pursuant to this Section.
(2) Upon receipt of such funds, grants, donations, or nonmonetary resources, the
governing authority shall install and operate the cameras according to the policies adopted
pursuant to this Section.
F. The state Department of Education shall assist public school governing authorities
in identifying state and federal funds that may be used for the installation and operation of
cameras pursuant to this Section.
G. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 479, §3, eff. Feb. 1, 2026.

Legislative History

Acts 2021, No. 456, §1, eff. June 23, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 588, §§1, 2, eff. June 17, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 198, §1; Acts 2025, No. 479, §§2, 3, eff. Feb. 1, 2026.