The bill proposes the establishment of the "Organized Retail Theft Coordination Center" within the Missouri Department of Public Safety, aimed at addressing organized retail theft. It defines key terms related to the center's operations and outlines its responsibilities, which include coordinating law enforcement efforts, establishing relationships with various agencies and organizations, assisting in investigations, and tracking trends in organized retail theft. The center will also provide training and technical assistance, and it will be led by a director appointed by the department, with the possibility of hiring additional staff as needed. Additionally, the bill mandates the director of the Department of Public Safety, in consultation with the attorney general, to evaluate existing state programs related to organized retail theft and submit a report with recommendations by March 1, 2027. The center is required to submit annual reports detailing its activities and impact, and it is subject to a sunset provision, which means it will terminate six years after its establishment unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. The bill also includes provisions for sharing information that may otherwise be restricted under current law, emphasizing the operational necessity of such disclosures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4955H.01): 650.2100