Multistate employers
An employer with workers in two or more states may choose one state to report to and must tell the Department in writing. Source: legis.la.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Rehired employees
Report workers returning after 60 or more days in a row without pay. Substitute teachers are reported on their first day each school year. Source: lanewhire.stellarware.com↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Civil fine up to $25 per unreported employee; up to $500 if the employer and employee conspire not to report or to file a false report. Source: legis.la.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: La. R.S. 46:236.14 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Louisiana Directory of New Hires (Department of Children and Family Services) (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law requires every employer to report each new hire to the state's new hire directory within 20 days, or sooner if the state sets a shorter deadline. States use the reports for child support. Source: Social Security Act § 453A↗ (opens in a new tab)
New hire reporting checklist for Louisiana employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Collect the employee's Form W-4 details on day one.
- Report to the state shown above before the deadline.
- Include every required data field, including any state extras.
- Report rehires and, where required, independent contractors.
- Multistate employers: pick one state and register with HHS, or report to each state.
- Keep a copy or confirmation of each report.
More Louisiana employment law guides
- All Louisiana employment laws
- Louisiana final paycheck law
- Louisiana paid sick leave law
- Louisiana meal and rest break laws
- Louisiana overtime law
- Louisiana pay frequency law
- Louisiana vacation and PTO payout law
- Louisiana at-will exceptions
New hire reporting laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.