Bill > HB615

This bill seeks to enact the Retail Theft Prevention Act, which primarily focuses on modifying Ohio's criminal code to address group retail theft. The bill amends sections 2913.02 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code to create new penalties for organized retail theft. Specifically, it establishes graduated criminal penalties for group retail theft based on the number of participants and the value of stolen goods. If a person commits group retail theft with one to three other people, it will be classified as a fifth-degree felony. If four or more people are involved, it becomes a third-degree felony with a presumption of prison time. In cases involving ten or more people and property with a retail value of five thousand dollars or more, the offense escalates to a second-degree felony. The bill aims to provide law enforcement and prosecutors with more robust tools to combat organized retail crime by creating stronger legal consequences for coordinated theft activities. By establishing these tiered penalties, the legislation seeks to deter large-scale organized retail theft and protect businesses from significant economic losses.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb615