AB 124

Current law prohibits retail theft. A person who steals from a merchant is

subject to penalties that vary according to the value of the merchandise that was

stolen. Retail theft is a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the merchandise does

not exceed $2,500, a Class I felony if the value of the merchandise exceeds $2,500 but

does not exceed $5,000, a Class H felony if the value of the merchandise exceeds

$5,000 but does not exceed $10,000, and a Class G felony if the value of the

merchandise exceeds $10,000.

This bill defines "merchandise" to include a service provided by a "service

provider." A "service provider" is a merchant who provides service to a retail

customer without a written contract with the expectation that the customer will pay

for the service upon completion of the service.

Under the bill, a person who obtains a service and who intentionally fails or

refuses to pay for the service is guilty of retail theft and subject to the same penalties

as under current law.

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.