In the 2024 Regular Session, the Louisiana Legislature enacted House Bill 607, which was signed into law as Act 385.  This legislation, effective January 1, 2025, amends the Life Safety and Property Protection Licensing Act to include specific provisions for locksmiths, particularly those specializing in automotive services. 

Key Provisions of Act 385:

Expanded Definitions:

1. • The term “property protection systems and equipment” now explicitly includes automotive locks, alongside existing categories like intrusion alarms and electronic locks.
   • New definitions have been introduced for roles such as “automotive locksmith technician,” “limited locksmith technician,” and “limited security technician.”

Licensing Endorsements:

1. • The Act establishes specific endorsements for various locksmith specializations:
     • Automotive Locksmith Endorsement:  Authorizes firms or employees to work on automotive locks and equipment, including the programming of key fobs and transponder devices.
     • Limited Locksmith Endorsement: Permits work on non-powered mechanical locks in both automotive and structural contexts but excludes special locking systems.
     • Limited Security Endorsement: Allows engagement in property protection activities related to security systems, household fire warning systems, and closed-circuit television, excluding special locking systems.

Fee Structure:

1. • The Act introduces initial and renewal fees for these endorsements:  
     • Automotive Locksmith Endorsement: $100 initial fee; $50 renewal fee.
     • Limited Locksmith Endorsement: $100 initial fee; $50 renewal fee.
     • Limited Security Endorsement: $100 initial fee; $50 renewal fee.

Impact on Louisiana Locksmiths:

Locksmiths in Louisiana, especially those focusing on automotive services, must obtain the appropriate endorsements to legally perform their duties.  This includes securing the necessary automotive locksmith endorsement to work on vehicle locks and related equipment.  Additionally, locksmiths should be aware of the fee structures associated with these endorsements and ensure timely renewals to maintain compliance.

Action Steps Before January 1, 2025:

• Review the Act: Familiarize yourself with the detailed provisions of Act 385 to understand the full scope of its requirements.
• Assess Your Services: Determine which endorsements align with your current or planned service offerings.
• Apply for Endorsements: Submit applications for the necessary endorsements through the State Fire Marshal’s office, ensuring all requirements are met.
• Plan for Fees: Budget for the initial and renewal fees associated with each endorsement to avoid any lapses in licensure.

By proactively addressing these steps, locksmiths can ensure seamless compliance with the new regulations and continue to provide essential services within the legal framework established by Act 385.

In Louisiana, consumers should take several steps to ensure that a locksmith is properly licensed before engaging their services. The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing locksmiths in the state. Locksmiths are required by law to hold a valid license to perform their work. This licensing process ensures they meet certain professional standards, have the necessary skills, and have passed a background check. Checking a locksmith’s license can help protect consumers from fraud and substandard work.

The first step is to verify the locksmith’s license through the Louisiana OSFM website. The OSFM provides an online database where consumers can search for licensed locksmiths. By entering the locksmith’s name or business name, consumers can confirm if the locksmith holds a current and valid license. Additionally, the license status will indicate whether the individual or business has faced any disciplinary actions or violations in the past, providing further insight into their reliability and professionalism.

When interacting with a locksmith, consumers should ask to see their license in person. Licensed locksmiths are required to carry their license and should be willing to present it upon request. The license should display the locksmith’s name, business name (if applicable), license number, and expiration date. If the locksmith hesitates or refuses to provide their license, this is a red flag, and it may be wise to seek services from another professional.

Another way to ensure a locksmith’s legitimacy is to look for additional certifications or affiliations with reputable industry organizations, such as the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). While these memberships are not mandatory, they often indicate that the locksmith is committed to ongoing training and adheres to a professional code of ethics. Reviews and testimonials from past customers on trusted platforms can also provide valuable insights into the locksmith’s reputation and quality of work.

Lastly, consumers should avoid locksmiths who arrive in unmarked vehicles or demand payment upfront before completing any work. A professional locksmith will typically provide an invoice or estimate with their business information and offer clear explanations of the services they will perform. Taking these steps ensures that consumers work with a trustworthy and properly licensed locksmith, safeguarding their home, business, or vehicle from potential risks.

The U.S. government has introduced the “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark,” a voluntary labeling program to help consumers identify smart home devices that meet established cybersecurity standards.

This initiative, similar to the Energy Star program, allows manufacturers to display the Cyber Trust Mark on products that pass cybersecurity assessments conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The label will appear alongside a QR code on product packaging, providing consumers with detailed security information, such as instructions for changing default passwords, configuring devices securely, and accessing updates or patches.

Set to launch in 2025, the program will apply to various wireless Internet of Things (IoT) products, including smart appliances, home security cameras, and fitness trackers. However, it will exclude wired devices, medical devices regulated by the FDA, personal computers, smartphones, and routers.

The introduction of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark aims to enhance consumer confidence in the security of connected devices and encourage manufacturers to prioritize cybersecurity in product development.

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has blocked the reinstatement of net neutrality rules, raising significant concerns within the security alarm industry. The court determined that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks the authority to prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from throttling or restricting access to online content.

The alarm industry relies on stable and unrestricted internet traffic to ensure the seamless transmission of critical data, including video feeds. Without net neutrality protections, there is apprehension that ISPs could prioritize certain traffic over others, potentially compromising the reliability of alarm systems during emergencies.

The Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC), which includes representatives from The Monitoring Association (TMA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA), the Security Industry Association (SIA), and leading alarm companies, has long advocated for net neutrality protections. They argue that alarm providers, who often compete with broadband ISPs in offering security services, are uniquely vulnerable without these protections.

Industry veteran Lou Fiore emphasized the risks posed by the absence of net neutrality rules, stating that without congressional intervention, the lack of protections could diminish competition and negatively impact consumers.

The broader implications of this ruling suggest that ISPs now have the power to “pick winners and losers” in the digital marketplace, potentially throttling or prioritizing internet traffic based on financial arrangements or their business interests. This scenario could lead to increased costs for smaller businesses, including alarm providers, and ultimately result in higher prices for consumers.

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) has opened registrations for the February Regional Meetings, offering industry professionals valuable opportunities for education, networking, and collaboration throughout the state.

The Region I meeting, covering the New Orleans area, is set for February 20, 2025, at Brick Oven in Kenner. 

For Region II, professionals in the Baton Rouge area will gather on February 19, 2025, for a CEU Day, lunch, and meeting at Jones Creek Regional Library. 

In Region III, participants in the Lafayette area will meet on February 18, 2025, at Top Axe in Alexandria for dinner, a meeting, and social activities. 

Finally, Region V’s Monroe-area professionals will convene at Catfish Cabin in Monroe on February 17, 2025.

These meetings will feature speakers including LLSSA Regional Vice Presidents, Committee Chairpersons, Chief Bryan Adams of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, and representatives from local communications departments. 

For further information or to register for a regional meeting, contact LLSSA at (337) 886-7282 or email llssa@llssa.org.

The Louisiana Life Safety and Security Association (LLSSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Taylor as the new Chairperson of its Membership Committee. With a strong background in operations, technology, and security, Patrick brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to this critical role.

Patrick Taylor currently serves as Operations Manager at Louisiana Radio Communications, overseeing the Baton Rouge branch of the company. Since joining the organization a year ago, Patrick has demonstrated exceptional operational and leadership skills, contributing to the branch’s continued success.

Patrick’s career began in the Information Technology sector, where he earned multiple certifications and gained valuable technical expertise. Seeking to expand his professional horizons, he transitioned into the physical security industry over a decade ago. Since then, Patrick has specialized in life safety and property protection, focusing on CCTV systems, intrusion detection, and access controls.

“I’m honored to take on the role of Membership Committee Chairperson and look forward to working with the LLSSA to strengthen and grow our member base,” said Patrick Taylor. “It’s a privilege to contribute to an organization dedicated to advancing life safety and security in Louisiana.”

The LLSSA is confident that Patrick’s diverse background and commitment to excellence will make him a driving force in expanding the association’s reach and fostering member engagement.

For more information on the LLSSA Please contact the Membership Committee at 337-886-7282 or llssa@llssa.org 

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of comprehensive data collected by its Occupational Safety and Health Administration on more than 890,000 workplace injuries and illnesses at more than 91,000 workplaces in calendar year 2023, including incident level details on the conditions and circumstances of injury and illness events. 

Federal electronic recordkeeping and reporting requirements require certain employers to use OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application to submit injury and illnesses reports. The posted data supports OSHA’s continued efforts to carry out the agency’s statutory mission to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working people. 

To promote understanding, OSHA has produced a video explaining the workplace injury and illness data collected by the Injury Tracking Application.

In this phase of data publication, the agency is making available workplace injury and illness incident details, including name of the employer, the location of incidents, injury or illness descriptions, workers’ activities before incidents occurred, events that caused the harm, types of injuries or illnesses, and the objects or substances involved.

“Publication of this data is a milestone in our efforts to make data on workplace injuries and illnesses more transparent,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “This information is an unprecedented tool for researchers, public health officials, businesses and workers to understand the nature of workplace injuries and illnesses in this country, whether they are looking at national trends, or the factory where they work every day.”

To protect workers’ privacy, OSHA used artificial intelligence and human review to redact personally identifiable information, such as names, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, birthdates and addresses.

By making the data accessible, employers, workers, customers and the public are empowered to make informed decisions about workplace safety and health at specific establishments. It also enables researchers to identify patterns and trends in injuries, illnesses and hazardous conditions more effectively.

Learn more about OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application and OSHA’s recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Louisiana’s legislature has enacted significant tax reforms, including reductions in personal and corporate income taxes, offset by an increase in the statewide sales tax.

Key components of the tax reform package: 

• Individual Income Tax: Implementation of a flat 3% rate, down from the previous 4.25% for high earners, resulting in a $1.3 billion tax cut.  The standard deduction for seniors has been doubled, and nearly tripled for individuals, effectively eliminating income tax for the lowest-income households. 

• Corporate Taxes: Reduction of the corporate income tax rate to a flat 5.5%, lowering the highest tier from 7.5%. Additionally, the 0.275% corporate franchise tax has been repealed.

• Sales Tax Increase: To compensate for revenue losses from the income and corporate tax cuts, the state sales tax has been increased to 5%, making Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax the highest in the nation.

• Constitutional Changes: The reform package includes significant constitutional amendments aimed at streamlining government operations, liquidating education trust funds to pay off school debt, and providing a permanent pay raise for teachers.

Governor Jeff Landry praised the reforms as “historic,” asserting they will allow residents to retain more of their income and stimulate business investment.  However, critics argue that while the tax cuts favor corporations and higher-income individuals, the increased sales tax disproportionately impacts lower-income households, exacerbating the state’s regressive tax system.

The legislative process involved extensive negotiations, with some proposed measures, such as expanding sales taxes to additional services, encountering resistance.  Despite these challenges, the core elements of the tax reform were passed during the special legislative session.