The bill enacts Chapter 52 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which addresses debit card surcharges. It prohibits retail businesses from imposing surcharges on cardholders who use debit cards for transactions, ensuring that they are not charged extra fees compared to other payment methods like cash or credit cards. The bill defines key terms such as "cardholder," "debit card," "retail business," and "surcharge," and establishes that any retail business violating this provision will be liable for actual damages incurred by the cardholder. Additionally, it requires cardholders to provide written notice of any alleged violations to the retail business before pursuing legal action.

The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations. The attorney general is granted the authority to bring civil actions against businesses that violate the provisions, with the possibility of recovering attorney fees and costs if successful. Civil penalties of up to $500 may be imposed for each violation, and all collected fines will be used to promote consumer protection and education. Furthermore, the attorney general is required to set up a toll-free number and an electronic reporting system for cardholders to report unlawful surcharges, ensuring that consumers have a means to address grievances related to debit card fees.