Louisiana school security camera law

Does Louisiana require cameras in schools?

Yes, in covered special education classrooms. Each public school governing authority must install a camera in each covered classroom and periodically check that it still works. A covered classroom is a self-contained classroom or other special education setting where most students in regular attendance get special education and related services and are assigned to such settings for at least half the instructional day. Classrooms whose only special education students are gifted or talented, with no identified disability, are not covered. Act 479 of 2025 removed the parent-request condition: before it, cameras were required only at a parent's request, and now they are required regardless of a request. Those changes took effect February 1, 2026. A state board (BESE) rule repeats the duty to install a camera in each covered classroom. The legislature's own 2026 digest describes existing law as requiring each public school governing authority to install cameras in certain classrooms.

Which schools are covered?

The duty falls on each public school governing authority. Charter schools must also follow the special education classroom camera law: it is on the list of statutes charters are not exempt from.

What must district camera policies say?

Each governing authority must adopt policies on installing and operating classroom cameras that record both video and audio. It must send a copy of those policies to the state Department of Education. The policies must bar recording the interior of a restroom or any area where students change or remove clothing. They must provide written notice of camera placement to anyone who enters a classroom with a camera. Recordings must be kept for at least one month from the recording date. Each camera must meet the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code. If a camera is out of operation for more than two school days in a row, the school must notify parents of students in that classroom.

Who may view the recordings?

The recordings are confidential and are not public records. They are not treated as "personally identifiable information" under the state student-privacy law. Policies must limit viewing to the superintendent or his designee and, on request, the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student. Since August 1, 2026, policies must require the superintendent and his designee, or two of his designees, to be present at the first viewing after a request. After a seclusion or physical restraint incident, the principal or designee and the special education director or supervisor must review any available video and audio footage.

Can police see the footage?

Law enforcement officials may view recordings as provided in the district's camera policies. Policies must require anyone who views a recording and suspects it shows a violation of state or federal law to report it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Are there limits on what cameras schools can buy?

Public schools, and nonpublic schools that receive state funds, may not buy prohibited video surveillance equipment or services. The prohibited list includes video surveillance equipment made by Hikvision, Dahua and Hytera, or their subsidiaries or affiliates.

What about facial recognition?

Louisiana's student biometric law counts facial characteristics used to identify a person electronically as biometric information. A public school governing authority that collects biometric information from students must adopt policies on its collection and use. Those policies must require written permission from a parent or guardian, or the student if 18 or older, before any biometric information is collected. Student biometric information may be used only for identification or fraud prevention. Separately, local school officials may not require collection of student biometric information unless a parent or guardian discloses it voluntarily.

How can schools pay for it?

School governing authorities may accept federal, state and local funds, grants and donations for installing and operating the cameras. Once it receives such funds, grants, donations or in-kind resources, the governing authority must install and operate the cameras under its policies. The state Department of Education must help districts identify state and federal funds for these cameras. A state Special Education Classroom Monitoring Fund may be used only to install these classroom cameras, subject to an appropriation by the legislature.

What changed recently?

2025 HB 684 was signed by the Governor and became Act 479, which removed the parent-request condition. 2026 SB 64 was signed by the Governor and became Act 237, which added the two-person first-viewing rule.