This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.522, to include gift card fraud as part of organized retail theft. It introduces new definitions for "closed-loop gift card," "gift card," and "open-loop gift card," which clarify the types of gift cards that are relevant to the law. Additionally, the bill specifies that tangible property includes gift cards and outlines the criteria for determining economic loss related to stolen gift cards. The amendments also expand the definition of organized retail theft to include actions such as tampering with stolen merchandise to obtain value from retailers or customers.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the existing provisions regarding organized retail theft by adding new clauses that detail the actions that constitute such theft, including the resale of stolen merchandise and the advertising of stolen items. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding retail theft and enhance public safety by addressing the growing issue of gift card fraud within organized retail theft schemes.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.522