Establishes the Louisiana Statewide Data Exchange Compact. (gov sig) (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

Senate Bill 233 enacts R.S. 39:18.1 through 18.3 to establish the Louisiana Statewide Data Exchange Compact, a uniform legal and technical framework that enables secure and privacy-compliant data sharing among state agencies. The office of technology services is authorized to create and administer the compact, which facilitates the disclosure of confidential information while clearly defining each participating agency's rights, obligations, and limited purposes for accessing such information. The compact operates as a uniform data sharing and data security agreement that provides a consistent method for agencies to comply with applicable state and federal data protection laws.

The legislation affects all state agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions, offices, authorities, councils, institutions of higher education, and junior colleges that choose to participate in the framework. Participating agencies must sign the compact as their primary governance document for safeguarding shared data and must establish and maintain appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information they receive. However, participation remains entirely voluntary, and any agency may determine at any time that continued use of the compact is inappropriate for specific data and may amend or terminate its participation or pursue alternative data protection methods. The office of technology services must establish a committee of participating agencies to provide input on the compact's development and conduct biannual reviews to ensure alignment with changes in state and federal law and evolving data security practices.

The legislation operates within the framework of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which addresses state finances and governmental administration. The compact functions as an agreement among consenting agencies rather than a binding statewide mandate, consistent with principles of administrative cooperation. The office of technology services' authority to promulgate implementing rules through the Administrative Procedure Act ensures that procedural requirements are met and that any regulations adopted receive appropriate public notice and comment. The effective date is tied to gubernatorial action under Article III, Section 18 of the Louisiana Constitution, allowing the legislation to become effective immediately upon the governor's signature or automatically upon the expiration of the signing period if the governor takes no action.