Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has signed Senate Bill 182 (Act 312) by Senators Francis C. Thompson and A. G. Crowe. It is effective August 15, 2011, and prohibits any offender sentenced to the legal custody of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to establish an account on any Internet-based social networking website.
R.S. 14:405 reads:
§405. Unlawful establishment of accounts on Internet-based social networking websites by inmates
A. It shall be unlawful for any offender who is incarcerated and who is sentenced to the legal custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to establish or maintain an account on any Internet-based, social networking website.
B. “Social networking website” means an Internet-based website that has any of the following capabilities:
(1) Allows users to create web pages or profiles about themselves that are available to the general public or to any other users.
(2) Offers a mechanism for communication among users, such as a forum, chat room, electronic mail, or instant messaging.
C. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
