CA: Legislature Passes 10 Bills to Combat ORC; Support Continues for Prop. 36

Earlier this week California lawmakers passed a package of 10 bills aimed at stopping organized retail crime (ORC).

• Assembly Bill 2943 addresses serial thieves by charging them with a felony on the third theft offense, aggregates dollar amounts and expands drug diversion program.
• Assembly Bill 3209 allows a court to impose a restraining order for up to two years against a person who has stolen, vandalized or committed battery against an employee.
• Assembly Bill 1779 allows prosecutors to charge several offenses that took place across counties and handle them in a single court.
• Assembly Bill 1802 makes permanent the California Highway Patrol property crimes task force.
• Assembly Bill 1960 enhances penalties for a person who takes or destroys property valued at more than $50,000.
• Assembly Bill 1972 expands the California Highway Patrol’s property crimes task force program to include cargo theft and railroad police.
• Senate Bill 905 creates two new felony misdemeanors offenses for someone who forcibly enters a locked vehicle with the intent to commit theft,
• Senate Bill 1385 supports hospital emergency departments to ensure patients are connected to treatment for opioid addictions.
• Senate Bill 1242 specifies that a person convicted of reckless fire setting on a retailer’s property will result in a longer sentence.
• Senate Bill 1320 requires a health plan or insurer to reimburse providers for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.

The bills now await the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom and legislative leaders were motivated to support the package of bills as an alternative to Proposition 36, the bipartisan November ballot initiative that seeks to reform Proposition 47.

Supporters of Prop. 36 believe it will increase public safety by allowing habitual repeated theft to be charged as a felony for individuals with multiple theft-related convictions and allowing the cumulative value of stolen property from multiple thefts to be considered. Prop. 36 aims to hold repeat offenders accountable and enhance penalties for organized theft.

For more information or to become involved, visit  www.VoteYesProp36.com.