Committing fraud on certain service providers and providing a penalty

In addition, current law allows the victim of a person who fraudulently obtained lodging, food or beverage, gasoline, taxicab service, or admission to a recreational or amusement venue to seek a civil judgment against the person for the cost of the item, service, or admission; property damage and other costs; and attorney fees and exemplary damages of up to $300.

This bill prohibits a person from fraudulently obtaining a service from a service provider. Under the bill, a service provider is a merchant who provides a service to a retail customer without a written contract and with the expectation that the customer will pay for the service upon completion of the service. The bill defines fraud against a service provider as failing or refusing to pay for a service rendered, with the intent to deprive the service provider of the full price of the service. The bill attaches the same criminal penalties and civil liability as are attached under current law to fraudulently obtaining lodging, food or beverage, gasoline, taxicab service, or admission to a recreational or entertainment venue.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to result if the bill is enacted.