§1404. Powers and duties

A. The Louisiana Attorney General's Office, Public Protection Division, Consumer Protection Section shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)(a) To investigate, conduct studies and research, to conduct public or private hearings into commercial and trade practices in the distribution, financing and furnishing of goods and services to or for the use of consumers.

(b) In the furtherance of the above, the attorney general shall notify said seller, distributor, packer, or manufacturer who shall have the right to put on the record any and all pertinent information that may substantiate the commercial or trade practice and shall have the right of cross examination.

(c) Public disclosure shall not be made of any trade secret and commercial or financial information obtained from a person which is of a privileged or confidential nature.

(2) To suggest means of securing adequate consumer representation on public boards and commissions;

(3) To advise the governor and the legislature on matters affecting consumer interests, and to assist in developing executive policies, and to develop, draft and prepare legislative programs to protect the consumer;

(4) To promote consumer education;

(5) Repealed by Acts 2006, No. 218, §2, eff. June 2, 2006.

(6) To do such other acts as are necessary and incidental to the exercise of the powers and functions of the section.

B. The attorney general may receive information and documentary material and may receive and otherwise investigate complaints with respect to acts or practices declared to be unlawful by this Chapter or other laws of this state and inform the public with respect thereto. The attorney general may institute legal proceedings and take such other actions provided for herein or which are necessary or incidental to the exercise of his powers and functions.

C. The attorney general may receive funding available under federal grants and from other sources for the purposes set forth in this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 759, §1; Acts 2006, No. 218, §§1, 2, eff. June 2, 2006.