Louisiana
Open Meetings Law
Formally: Louisiana Open Meetings Law
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Open Meetings Score
| Advance Notice | 1 day, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Required |
| Closed Sessions | 6 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required, online posting required |
| Recording | Required |
| Remote Participation | Not allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
Written notice with agenda at least 24 hours before meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays); posted at principal office, in official journal, or on website
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Each public body shall allow a public comment period prior to action on each agenda item on which a vote is to be taken. The governing body may adopt reasonable rules and restrictions. School boards are governed separately by R.S. 42:15, which requires per-item comment before each agenda item. R.S. 42:14(D).
Virtual Meetings
La. R.S. § 42:5(B) and § 42:14 require physical presence; remote participation violates the open meetings law except for members with ADA-recognized disabilities (R.S. § 42:17.2.1) and for certain statewide multi-jurisdictional public bodies (R.S. § 42:17.2). General local bodies must meet in person.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present/absent, all motions/proposals/votes with individual member votes (LSA-RS 42:7)
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.