RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 88 (HB 7) 2019 Regular Session Dwight
New law creates the crime of communication interference and defines it as the willful or
malicious interference with any communication operated or controlled by the state; used or
intended to be used by the military or civil defense functions; or controlled by any legal
entity created for the purpose of or engaged in generating, transmitting, providing, and
distributing utilities or utility services to the public.
New law provides penalties of a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment with or
without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both, for a first offense. For a second or
subsequent offense, new law provides penalties of a fine of not more than $10,000,
imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than fifteen years, or both.
New law also provides exceptions to the crime for the following:
(1)Certain activities performed for purposes of collective bargaining or mutual aid
protection, for military or civil defense functions, or for certain private entities
specified in new law.
(2)Any of the following entities while engaged in the course and scope of their business
activities: (a) any entity the security issues of which are subject to approval, control,
regulation, or supervision by the federal government or any agency thereof under any
other federal statute; (b) any entity whose business is subject to regulation by the
Federal Communications Commission; or (c) any entity conducting or carrying on
its business or operations in two or more states.
(3)Member-owned electric cooperatives, municipally owned electric service providers,
privately owned utilities, or investor-owned utilities regulated by the La. Public
Service Commission or the city council of New Orleans when engaged in the course
and scope of their business activities.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Adds R.S. 14:73.11)