H.B. 384 - Summary

• Adds exchanging stolen property for cash, gift cards, merchandise cards, or other items of value as a Class H felony offense for larceny from a merchant.

• Creates a new Class G felony for organized retail theft involving $20,000 or more in stolen retail property aggregated over 90 days, or for conspiracy involving two or more other persons as an organizer, supervisor, financier, leader, or manager.

• Expands the definition of "currency converter" to include itinerant merchants and pawnbrokers purchasing gift cards or merchandise cards.

• Establishes recordkeeping requirements for "e-buyers" (online gift card and merchandise card purchasers), including seller identification, card details, IP addresses, and a statement attesting the item is not stolen.

• Allows aggregation of retail thefts across multiple counties into a single organized retail theft charge, with concurrent venue in each affected county.