FL H0549

Lowers the threshold for grand theft of the third degree for property taken from a dwelling from $100 to $40, and creates a new petit theft of the first degree (first-degree misdemeanor) for property valued at less than $40 taken from a dwelling, with enhanced felony penalties for repeat offenders

Reduces the number of retail thefts required for aggregation-based felony charges from 5 to 3 within an expanded timeframe of 120 days (previously 30 days), making it easier to prosecute serial retail theft as a third-degree or second-degree felony

Creates a new third-degree felony for committing retail theft in concert with five or more other persons to overwhelm merchant or law enforcement response, elevated to a second-degree felony if a social media platform was used to solicit participants

Establishes a first-degree felony (up to 30 years) for retail theft offenders who have two or more prior retail theft convictions under the organized retail theft provisions, or who possess a firearm during the commission of the offense

Requires courts to order restitution for retail theft convictions, including the value of damaged or stolen merchandise and the cost of repairing other property damaged during the offense; effective date October 1, 2024