This bill aims to combat retail theft by establishing a dedicated retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety and appropriating $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," which penalizes individuals who assist in selling stolen goods online. Additionally, the bill amends the assault statute to classify assaults against retail employees as aggravated assault, thereby enhancing protections for those working in the retail sector.

The legislation also introduces significant amendments to existing laws regarding shoplifting and gift card fraud. It allows for the aggregation of merchandise value over a one-year period to determine the severity of shoplifting offenses and mandates community service for shoplifting convictions, with increased requirements for repeat offenders. The bill further elevates the crime of leading an organized retail theft enterprise to a first-degree crime and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance with training requirements related to gift card fraud. Overall, the bill reflects a comprehensive approach to strengthening enforcement against retail theft and protecting consumers from fraud.

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