Louisiana retailers can no longer charge customers extra for using debit cards under a new state law that took effect Saturday, giving consumers new legal protections and expanding the attorney general's authority to enforce the ban. Senate Bill 254 prohibits retail businesses from imposing a surcharge on customers who pay with a debit card instead of cash, check, credit card or another form of payment. The law defines a surcharge as any additional amount charged by a retail business that increases the cost of a transaction for the privilege of using a debit card. It does not apply to credit card transactions. Consumers who are assessed an unlawful debit card surcharge may recover actual damages from the retailer. Before filing a lawsuit, however, the customer must provide written notice of the alleged violation.