A business may copy or reproduce its records by certain imaging processes, and may later discard the originals, except records tied to Louisiana claims, taxes, or reports must be kept for five years.
§3733. Business records; reproduction by electronic imaging, photographic, photostatic, or miniature photographic process; certification A. Any business may cause any or all records kept by such business in regular course of its operation to be recorded, copied, or reproduced by any electronic imaging, photographic, photostatic or miniature photographic process which correctly, accurately, and permanently copies, reproduces or forms a medium for copying or reproducing the original record on a film or other durable material, and such business may thereafter dispose of the original record, provided that every original record pertaining to any claim, tax, or report due the state of Louisiana or any of its agencies shall be preserved for five years from the thirty-first day of December of the year in which such claim arose, or such tax or report was due. B. Any such electronically imaged, photographic, photostatic or miniature photographic copy or reproduction shall be deemed to be an original record for all purposes and shall be treated as an original record in all courts or administrative agencies for the purpose of its admissibility in evidence. An enlargement or facsimile of such reproduction is likewise admissible in evidence if the original reproduction is in existence and available for inspection under the direction of the court. C. For purposes of this Section "business" means and includes each business, industry, profession, occupation and calling of every kind. D. Whenever any such electronically imaged, photographic, photostatic, or miniature photographic copy or reproduction shall be certified with a certificate reading substantially as follows, it shall be deemed an original or authentic copy of the original record or document for purposes of its admissibility under Louisiana law, and specifically as authentic evidence for purposes of Code of Civil Procedure Article 2636, and shall be received in evidence as prima facie proof of its contents with the same force and effect as though the original document were produced, and shall be deemed authentic evidence for all purposes, satisfying the requirements of Code of Evidence Articles 901 and 902: "STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF____________ _____________, Louisiana ______________________ (DATE) I, ______________________ do hereby certify that this document is a true and correct copy of the original thereof, consisting of _____ page(s), being a reproduction thereof from the records on file with the undersigned, in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 13, Section 3733. _______________________ NAME: TITLE: ADDRESS:" Acts 1952, No. 337, §§1 to 3; Acts 1987, No. 478, §1; Acts 2001, No. 941, §2; Acts 2012, No. 505, §1.