Louisiana Passes Updated Data Privacy Law Affecting All Businesses
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an updated data privacy law that significantly expands the obligations of businesses operating in the state. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, giving businesses approximately five months to prepare.
Key Requirements of the Updated Law
The new legislation includes several provisions that affect businesses of all sizes:
- Data Breach Notification — Businesses must notify affected individuals within 48 hours of discovering a breach, down from the previous 60-day window.
- Consumer Data Rights — Louisiana residents can now request access to, correction of, and deletion of their personal data held by businesses.
- Data Minimization — Businesses may only collect personal data that is reasonably necessary for the stated purpose.
- Vendor Accountability — Companies are responsible for ensuring their third-party vendors also comply with the law.
Who Is Affected
Unlike some state privacy laws that only apply to large companies, Louisiana's updated law applies to any business that collects personal information from Louisiana residents. This includes small businesses, medical practices, law firms, and even sole proprietors.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations can result in fines of up to $5,000 per incident, with the Attorney General's office empowered to pursue enforcement actions. For businesses with large customer databases, the potential liability is significant.
Steps to Prepare
- Audit what personal data your business collects and stores.
- Update your privacy policy to reflect the new requirements.
- Implement a process for handling consumer data requests.
- Review contracts with third-party vendors for data protection provisions.
- Ensure your IT systems can detect and report breaches within the 48-hour window.
WITTCO helps Louisiana businesses implement the technical safeguards needed for compliance, from data encryption to breach detection and response planning.
