Louisiana law places school security programs in a state center

The Center administers school and nonprofit security programs and helps schools plan for emergencies. The Center operates within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice and serves schools, school governing authorities, nonprofits, and other appropriate entities. The Center develops the statewide school safety framework in consultation with the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The law takes effect upon the governor's signature.

The School and Nonprofit Security Advisory Council reviews the Center's frameworks and makes recommendations on security programs. The council includes state agency leaders, law enforcement and education representatives, legislative committee chairs, and a nonprofit representative. The council cannot contract, spend funds, buy goods or services, or adopt administrative rules. The Commission carries out implementation through the Center. The council meets at least quarterly and reports annually by July 1.

The Center maintains written data policies and reports annually on its security work. The data policies cover information and systems administered under this law. Existing public-records protections for school security plans, critical incident data, and related security information continue to apply. The Center reports to the governor, education officials, and specified House and Senate committees each year.

The council succeeds the former Louisiana Commission on School and Nonprofit Security, and the former commission's work continues under the council. The transfer covers the former commission's powers, duties, records, reports, recommendations, data, pending matters, officers, and other actions. Members whose positions match seats on the new council continue serving in those roles; other positions on the former commission end when the law takes effect. The transfer and changes to commission positions take effect under the law's effective-date rule.