Bill > HB1744

This bill addresses criminal conduct involving gift cards by creating new definitions and establishing specific offenses and penalties related to gift card theft and fraud. The bill defines terms such as "gift card," "cardholder," "card issuer," and distinguishes between open-loop and closed-loop gift cards. It introduces three new criminal offenses: theft of a gift card, unlawful use of a gift card, and gift card fraud, with penalties varying based on the value of the gift card or gift card redemption information. For theft of a gift card, penalties range from a gross misdemeanor (for values under $750) to a class B felony (for values over $5,000). Similarly, unlawful use of a gift card carries comparable penalties. The bill also amends existing forgery laws to include tampering with gift card redemption information. Additionally, the bill updates the state's sentencing guidelines to include these new gift card-related offenses, categorizing them at different severity levels depending on the specific crime and its monetary value. The overall intent is to provide law enforcement and prosecutors with clear legal tools to combat criminal activities involving gift cards.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1744&Year=2025&Initiative=false