The bill establishes a new section, 817.091, in the Florida Statutes to address fraudulent use of gift cards. It defines key terms such as "cardholder," "card issuer," "gift card," "gift card redemption information," "gift card seller," and "value." The bill outlines specific unlawful actions related to gift cards that are intended to defraud, including acquiring or retaining possession of a gift card without consent, altering or tampering with a gift card, and using gift cards obtained through fraudulent means.
The legislation also stipulates criminal penalties for violations, categorizing them as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances. A first-degree misdemeanor is assigned for general violations, while a third-degree felony applies if the offender has prior convictions or if the value involved exceeds $750. Additionally, the bill allows for the aggregation of values to determine the severity of the offense. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.