This bill aims to combat retail theft by establishing a dedicated retail theft unit 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. The bill also amends the assault statute to categorize assaults against retail employees as aggravated assault, thereby enhancing protections for those working in the retail sector.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant amendments to existing laws regarding organized retail theft, including the aggregation of merchandise value for shoplifting offenses over a one-year period and mandatory community service for shoplifting convictions. It elevates the crime of leading an organized retail theft enterprise to a first-degree crime and imposes civil penalties for violations related to gift card sales. The bill also mandates that retail establishments train employees on identifying gift card fraud and requires third-party gift card resellers to maintain detailed transaction records for law enforcement inspection. Overall, the bill reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing retail theft and enhancing penalties for related offenses.

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