The bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Chapter 11-41, focusing on theft, embezzlement, false pretenses, and misappropriation. It introduces tiered penalties for larceny based on the value of stolen property, including community service requirements and fines. Specifically, theft of property valued at $25 or less may result in up to 20 hours of community service or a fine of up to $50. For theft valued between $25 and $250, a first offense may lead to up to 20 hours of community service or a fine of up to $100, while a second or subsequent offense may result in imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to $250. The bill also establishes penalties for higher value thefts, with imprisonment terms and fines increasing accordingly, including up to 10 years for theft exceeding $10,000. Additionally, the bill mandates annual adjustments to monetary amounts related to theft penalties based on Rhode Island's median household income.

The bill allows merchants to seek civil restitution for shoplifting without requiring a criminal conviction and clarifies penalties for specific theft-related offenses. It states that shoplifting amounts under $250 for a first offense or under $25 for subsequent offenses will no longer be classified as misdemeanors. Furthermore, the bill proposes to repeal the habitual offender mandatory minimum statute and certain specified larceny offenses, as well as criminal offenses related to insurance fraud and public assistance fraud. Notably, it removes the provision that disqualified individuals convicted of a felony or misdemeanor from participating in the food stamp program for a specified period, ensuring that such disqualifications do not extend to the entire household. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the legal framework surrounding theft and fraud while promoting a more lenient approach to minor offenses.

Statutes affected:
545: 40-6-8.1