California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently enacted a set of 10 new laws designed to address and reduce organized retail crime in the state. 

Announced on August 16, 2024, CNBC reported that these new laws focus on several types of theft, including stealing from stores (shoplifting), stealing from vehicles, and selling stolen goods online. 

The new legislation was introduced in response to growing concerns from retailers about how such crimes are affecting their earnings, their employees, and the overall shopping experience for customers.

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California's New Set of Law Against Retail Crime

One of the key measures, Senate Bill 1416, introduces stricter penalties for middlemen involved in organized retail crime rings. 

This bill increases prison time and fines for individuals engaged in the sale, exchange, or return of stolen property after prior penalties were deemed insufficient as deterrents. 

The bill specifically targets individuals like Michelle Mack, a notorious figure in retail theft rings, who was recently sentenced to over five years in prison. Earlier this year, VCPost also learned that she may be linked to multiple theft cases reported by T.J. Maxx and other retail giants.

At the same time, the new laws also include Senate Bill 1144, which targets the resale of stolen goods on online platforms like Amazon. This bill updates current regulations to impose stricter compliance requirements on high-volume, third-party sellers and makes it easier to file civil charges against online marketplaces that sell stolen items. 

Since January, California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Crime Task Force has arrested 884 individuals and recovered over $7.2 million worth of stolen items, per NBC New York.

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