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 for the purpose of obtaining value from a retailer or customer.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the existing language regarding organized retail theft by removing certain clauses and adding new provisions that enhance the legal framework for prosecuting such crimes. Notably, it specifies that a person can be charged with organized retail theft if they are associated with a retail theft enterprise and have a history of retail theft, while also detailing the actions that constitute violations of the law. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.522