Public Records Law

Louisiana · Public Records and Recorders · §§ 44-1 to 44-9 · 207 sections

Overview

Public Records Law governs the creation, custody, preservation, and public inspection of records held by government offices, including the recording of written instruments and the official indexes maintained for them. It establishes procedures for reproducing and preserving records — photographic, microfilm, and electronic copies, repair and rebinding, electronic filing — and sets the evidentiary weight of certified copies, while providing remedies against a recording officer who fails in those duties. It also carves out categories of confidential information that are exempt from public access, such as medical and personnel records, library borrowing records, job applicant files, and the home address and personal details of judges and other protected individuals.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.

Sections covered

La. R.S. 44:1General definitions
La. R.S. 44:10Confidential nature of documents and proceedings of judiciary commission
La. R.S. 44:101General powers
La. R.S. 44:102Repair and rebinding of books and records; payment
La. R.S. 44:103Certified copies and their effect
La. R.S. 44:104Redesignated as R.S. 9:2742 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:105Redesignated as R.S. 9:2743 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:106Redesignated as R.S. 9:5169 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:107Redesignated as R.S. 9:5170 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:108Redesignated as R.S. 9:5171 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:109Redesignated as R.S. 9:5172 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:109.1Redesignated as R.S. 9:5173 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:11Confidential nature of certain personnel records; exceptions
La. R.S. 44:1.1Short title
La. R.S. 44:110Redesignated as R.S. 9:5174 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:111Redesignated as R.S. 9:5175 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:11.1Limited access to domiciliary address information for judges
La. R.S. 44:112Redesignated as R.S. 9:5176 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:11.2Limited access to personal information for protected individuals
La. R.S. 44:113Redesignated as R.S. 9:2741 by Acts 2010, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. R.S. 44:114Actions against the recorder
La. R.S. 44:115Photographic reproduction of acts
La. R.S. 44:116Photostatic, photographic, microfilm, or other photographic or electronic copies of records; indexes of conveyance and mortgage records; disposition; evidentiary status; preservation
La. R.S. 44:117Preservation of filings in the conveyance records
La. R.S. 44:118Electronic copies of records; Lafayette Parish
La. R.S. 44:119Electronic filing and recording of written instruments
La. R.S. 44:12Medical records of persons covered by the Office of Group Benefits programs
La. R.S. 44:12.1Records of applicants for public positions; prohibitions
La. R.S. 44:13Registration records and other records of use maintained by libraries
La. R.S. 44:132Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:133Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:134Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:135Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:136Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:138Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:14Insurance, health and accident; list of insured to be provided to department
La. R.S. 44:15Medical records of persons applying for disability retirement through any state or statewide public retirement system or pension plan or fund
La. R.S. 44:16Personal data records for certain members of public retirement systems, plans, or funds
La. R.S. 44:161Double index; form and contents
La. R.S. 44:162Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:163Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:17Immunization records; definitions; disclosure; liability; procedures
La. R.S. 44:171Recordation of discharge from armed forces
La. R.S. 44:18Geophysical survey information
La. R.S. 44:181Clerk of court as recorder; duties
La. R.S. 44:181.1Official seal
La. R.S. 44:181.2Deputy recorders
La. R.S. 44:181.3Archivist
La. R.S. 44:181.4Fees
La. R.S. 44:181.5Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 474, §4.
La. R.S. 44:181.6Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 474, §4.
La. R.S. 44:181.7Notarial archives records; fees
La. R.S. 44:182General powers
La. R.S. 44:182.1Retention of powers
La. R.S. 44:182.10Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.11Annual budget; submission to enumerated entities
La. R.S. 44:182.2Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.3Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.4Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.5Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.6Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.7Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.8Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:182.9Repealed by Acts 2007, No. 212, §1, eff. July 2, 2007.
La. R.S. 44:183Microfilm records; use; separate location; preservation of records
La. R.S. 44:184Applicability of other laws
La. R.S. 44:184.1Recordation of agreement
La. R.S. 44:184.2Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 677, §2, eff. July 1, 2008 and Acts 2008, No. 856, §2.
La. R.S. 44:185Recordation books; indexes
La. R.S. 44:19Records of a coroner; autopsy photographs, video, and other visual images
La. R.S. 44:2Records involved in legislative investigations
La. R.S. 44:20Records of discharge from armed forces
La. R.S. 44:201Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:201.1Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:202Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:203Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:204Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:205Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:205.1Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:206Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:207Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:21Municipal fire and police civil service; test materials confidential
La. R.S. 44:21.1Jefferson Parish civil service; test materials confidential
La. R.S. 44:22Economic development negotiations
La. R.S. 44:22.1Port economic development negotiations
La. R.S. 44:22.2Local government economic development negotiations
La. R.S. 44:23Department of Transportation and Development; preconstruction estimates
La. R.S. 44:231Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:23.1Department of Transportation and Development; Sabine River Authority; exception for certain sensitive security information or critical infrastructure information
La. R.S. 44:231.1Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009
La. R.S. 44:232Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:232.1Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:233Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:234Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:234.1Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:235Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:261Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:262Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:263Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:264Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:265Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:266Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:267Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 621, §20(B), eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
La. R.S. 44:268Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:3Records of prosecutive, investigative, and law enforcement agencies, and communications districts
La. R.S. 44:301Pending proceedings
La. R.S. 44:302Judgments; execution on certified copies
La. R.S. 44:31Right to examine records
La. R.S. 44:3.1Certain records pertaining to security-related activity
La. R.S. 44:3.1.1School surveillance and security video; limited retention and viewing policy
La. R.S. 44:31.1Exceptions; authority of the custodian
La. R.S. 44:31.2Public records awareness program
La. R.S. 44:32Duty to permit examination; prevention of alteration; payment for overtime; copies provided; fees
La. R.S. 44:3.2Proprietary and trade secret information
La. R.S. 44:321Petition and service
La. R.S. 44:322Oath
La. R.S. 44:323Affidavits
La. R.S. 44:324Answer; judgment
La. R.S. 44:325Parol evidence may be used
La. R.S. 44:326Court costs
La. R.S. 44:327Effect of recording certified copies of reestablished records
La. R.S. 44:328Costs due clerks or other officials
La. R.S. 44:329Certified copies admissible in evidence
La. R.S. 44:33Availability of records
La. R.S. 44:3.3Public power authority; commercially sensitive information
La. R.S. 44:33.1Custodian; contact information; notice to public
La. R.S. 44:34Absence of records
La. R.S. 44:3.4Records of the Board of Ethics
La. R.S. 44:35Enforcement
La. R.S. 44:3.5Records of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
La. R.S. 44:36Preservation of records
La. R.S. 44:3.6Airport facility and infrastructure records
La. R.S. 44:361Use of abstractors' records authorized
La. R.S. 44:362Parishes may purchase or expropriate abstractors' records
La. R.S. 44:363Procedure for purchase or expropriation by parish
La. R.S. 44:364Recordation of evidence adduced at trial
La. R.S. 44:365Binding and certification
La. R.S. 44:366Compensation for district attorney
La. R.S. 44:367Certified copies of re-established archives prima facie evidence
La. R.S. 44:368Presumption of correctness; use of parol evidence
La. R.S. 44:369Judicial notice
La. R.S. 44:37Penalties for violation by custodians of records
La. R.S. 44:370Restricted application
La. R.S. 44:38Access to records involved in legislative studies
La. R.S. 44:39Microfilm and electronic digitized records; use as evidence
La. R.S. 44:4Applicability
La. R.S. 44:40Additional copies of records; purchase of equipment; funds available for payment; copies of suit records
La. R.S. 44:401Division of archives, records management, and history
La. R.S. 44:402Definitions
La. R.S. 44:403Counsel
La. R.S. 44:404State archivist
La. R.S. 44:405Powers and duties
La. R.S. 44:406Collection of records
La. R.S. 44:407Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:408Archives and records center building; duty custody and control
La. R.S. 44:409Appointment of advisory groups
La. R.S. 44:41Receiving and filing map, plat, etc. for record
La. R.S. 44:4.1Exceptions
La. R.S. 44:410Records management programs
La. R.S. 44:411Record management obligation of agency heads
La. R.S. 44:412Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:413Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:414Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:415Imaging and preservation services
La. R.S. 44:416Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:417Deposit of records of historical value; transfer of deposited records to public or educational institutions; disposition of abandoned property
La. R.S. 44:418Responsibility for custody, use, and withdrawal of records
La. R.S. 44:419Preservation, conservation, and exhibition of records
La. R.S. 44:42Immunity from suit for invasion of privacy
La. R.S. 44:420Deposit of papers and other historical materials of officials and individuals
La. R.S. 44:421Authorization to certify facts; evidentiary status of any reproductions
La. R.S. 44:422Safeguards against the removal, unlawful destruction, or loss of records
La. R.S. 44:423Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 508, §2.
La. R.S. 44:424Authority of state financial officers and others not limited
La. R.S. 44:425Department of Revenue; exemption
La. R.S. 44:426Transfer of inactive legislative records to archives
La. R.S. 44:427Advisory Board of the Louisiana State Archives
La. R.S. 44:428To 430 Repealed by Acts 1985, No. 238, 1, effective July 6, 1985.
La. R.S. 44:5Records of the governor
La. R.S. 44:501.Board; creation; appointment; compensation
La. R.S. 44:502Duties of the board
La. R.S. 44:503State historical records coordinator duties; deputy state historical records coordinator duties
La. R.S. 44:504Repealed
La. R.S. 44:51Definitions
La. R.S. 44:5.1Records of the office of a statewide elected official
La. R.S. 44:52Address confidentiality program; application; certification; substitute address; renewal; prohibited acts; penalties
La. R.S. 44:53Cancellation of certification
La. R.S. 44:54Substitute address; use
La. R.S. 44:55Secretary of state; use of substitute address; exceptions
La. R.S. 44:56Program participants; application assistance
La. R.S. 44:57Service of process
La. R.S. 44:6Completed reports of the Legislative Auditor
La. R.S. 44:67.1Acceptance of collective bargaining agreement
La. R.S. 44:67.2Construction; enforcement
La. R.S. 44:7Hospital records
La. R.S. 44:71Offices for recording mortgages and conveyances
La. R.S. 44:72Seal
La. R.S. 44:73Location of office
La. R.S. 44:74Repealed by Acts 1974, No. 540, 2
La. R.S. 44:75Deputies
La. R.S. 44:76Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 169, §8, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. R.S. 44:77Recorder as proper party; payment of judgments and compromises; obligation to maintain insurance
La. R.S. 44:78Limitation of liability
La. R.S. 44:79Recorder not required to pay costs or give security in judicial proceedings
La. R.S. 44:8Louisiana office building corporation, special provisions
La. R.S. 44:80Fees
La. R.S. 44:9Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 145, §3.

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