This bill aims to combat retail theft by establishing a dedicated retail theft unit and allocating $1 million for its operations. It expands the definition of "dealing in stolen property" to include online transactions and introduces a new offense called "fostering the sale of stolen property," targeting individuals who assist in selling stolen goods online. Additionally, the bill amends the assault statute to classify assaults against retail employees as aggravated assault under specific conditions, thereby enhancing protections for these workers.

The legislation also introduces significant amendments to existing laws, including the aggregation of merchandise value for shoplifting offenses over a one-year period and mandatory community service for shoplifting convictions, with increased service days for repeat offenders. It elevates the crime of leading an organized retail theft enterprise to a first-degree crime and imposes substantial fines. Furthermore, the bill establishes new definitions and requirements for gift cards to prevent fraud, mandates training for retail employees on gift card scams, and introduces civil penalties for non-compliance with these training requirements. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen law enforcement and consumer protection against retail theft and fraud.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:20-7.1, 2C:20-11.2, 54:52-9, 54:52-15, 56:8-110.1