Bill > S726

This bill amends existing law to increase penalties for counterfeiting, particularly when the offense creates a risk of bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death, and establishes a new criminal offense for counterfeiting products related to health. Specifically, it enhances the penalties for counterfeiting by making it a third-degree crime if the offense creates a reasonably foreseeable risk of bodily injury and a second-degree crime if it creates a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious bodily injury or death, in addition to existing penalties based on the number of items counterfeited or their retail value. The bill also introduces new definitions for "bodily injury" and "serious bodily injury" to clarify these terms within the context of counterfeiting offenses. Furthermore, it creates a new offense within the Criminal Code specifically addressing the counterfeiting of drugs, cosmetics, or devices, classifying such offenses as third-degree crimes for drugs and fourth-degree crimes for cosmetics or devices. The bill also outlines the enforcement duties of the State Department of Health and Senior Services and other law enforcement officials regarding these counterfeiting offenses.