Louisiana Implements Cameras in Special Education Classrooms for Safety

A new Louisiana law requiring continuous audio and video recording in all public school self-contained special education classrooms is now in effect statewide.

Act 479 of 2025, approved by the Louisiana Legislature, became fully operational Feb. 1, 2026, mandating the installation of cameras in every public self-contained special education classroom. The law requires systems to record both audio and video continuously, expanding beyond previous state law that required cameras only when requested by a parent.

The legislation is intended to increase student safety, accountability, and transparency, particularly for vulnerable students, while also providing documentation related to classroom interactions.

Schools are required to post signage inside and outside affected classrooms notifying staff and visitors that audio and video recording is taking place.

In addition to the camera mandate, Act 479 also establishes stricter limits on the use of student restraint and seclusion. The law requires enhanced documentation and reporting when restraint or seclusion is used, along with additional staff oversight.

Access to recorded footage is generally limited to district-level administrators, rather than school-based personnel, according to published reports. The recordings are not intended for routine viewing and are subject to privacy protections.

With the implementation of Act 479, Louisiana is among a limited number of states with a comprehensive statewide requirement for audio and video monitoring in all public self-contained special education classrooms.