Bill > S05458

This bill establishes a new Office of Organized Retail Theft within the New York State Department of Law, which will have broad powers to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft operations. The office will be able to receive and investigate complaints from any source about retail theft organizations, including how they steal property, train thieves, resell stolen goods, transfer and store stolen items, and conceal related funds. A deputy attorney general will be designated to lead the office, with the ability to hire staff and subpoena witnesses. The office can request assistance from other state agencies, provide technical support to local law enforcement, and refer cases to federal, state, or local law enforcement as needed. The office will conduct comprehensive investigations, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing reports, and examining audio and video recordings. Notably, the bill requires the office to issue an annual public report summarizing its activities and recommending potential legal changes to improve investigations and prosecutions of organized retail theft. The office will have wide-ranging authority to perform any functions necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, with the ultimate goal of combating organized retail theft operations comprehensively.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5458