House Bill 207, sponsored by Zachary, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, to enhance the legal framework surrounding organized retail crime. The bill modifies the timeframe for aggregating offenses from "ninety-day period" to "one-hundred-eighty-day period." Additionally, it introduces several new provisions that define specific actions as violations under organized retail crime, including knowingly removing or deactivating anti-shoplifting devices, interfering with fire alarm systems, using online platforms to sell stolen goods, returning stolen or counterfeit merchandise, and possessing multiple fraudulently obtained access devices.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that violations of these new provisions will result in a punishment that is one classification higher if the defendant engages in property destruction or uses a weapon during the offense. This legislation aims to strengthen the penalties and deterrents associated with organized retail crime in Tennessee, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-14-113(c)(1), 39-14-113, 39-14-113(c), 39-14-113(d)