Senate Bill S6957

                                BILL NUMBER:S6957A

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the general business law and the
penal law, in relation to
organized retail theft using an emergency exit

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill adds a new section to the general business law and a new
subdivision to penal law section 155.30 to provide that use of an
emergency exit to facilitate a theft from a mercantile established is
classified as grand larceny in the fourth degree.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section One amends the general business law by adding a new section
393-e which prohibits stealing from a mercantile establishment by
using an emergency exit to facilitate such theft.

Section Two amends the penal law by adding a new section which
provides that stealing from a mercantile establishment and using an
emergency exit to facilitate such theft is classified as grand
larceny in the fourth degree.

Section Three is the effective date.

              

JUSTIFICATION:
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, organized retail
theft is an industry that costs United States retailers about $30
billion per year. Organized retail crime comprises a wide spectrum of
high-volume and highly organized theft rings that cost New York
retailers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and, more
importantly, compromise the health, safety, and welfare of
unsuspecting New York consumers. For every item stolen, New York
state and local governments lose out on sales tax revenue, adding up
to millions annually. Organized retail theft is the most serious
security issue facing many retail merchants, including apparel and
accessory retailers, mass merchandisers, do-it-yourself stores, drug
stores, and supermarkets. It's a crime that has grown substantially
over the past decade. Retailers are forced to offset these
significant costs through higher prices - meaning that honest
consumers are forced to endure the impact of organized retail theft
and professional shoplifters.

One of the ways that criminals commit these offenses is through the
use of an emergency exit. These thieves have been known to hide in
retail stores and wait for all employees to leave before removing
large amounts of goods through emergency exits. By amending the
general business law and the penal law to enhance penalties for those
thieves

who steal from a retail establishment, and depart from an emergency
exit, these types of schemes can be deterred

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of November
next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

                                BILL NUMBER:S6957B

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the
penal law, in relation to
organized retail theft using an emergency exit

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill adds a new subdivision to penal law section 155.30 to
provide that use of an emergency exit to facilitate a theft from a
mercantile establishment is classified as grand larceny in the fourth
degree.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section One amends the penal law by adding a new section which
provides that stealing from a mercantile establishment and using an
emergency exit to facilitate such theft shall be classified as grand
larceny in the fourth degree.

Section Two is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, organized retail
theft is an industry that costs United States retailers about $30
billion per year. Organized retail crime comprises a wide spectrum of
              

high-volume and highly organized theft rings that cost New York
retailers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and, more
importantly, compromise the health, safety, and welfare of
unsuspecting New York consumers. For every item stolen, New York
state and local governments lose out on sales tax revenue, adding up
to millions annually. Organized retail theft is the most serious
security issue facing many retail merchants, including apparel and
accessory retailers, mass merchandisers, do-it-yourself stores, drug
stores, and supermarkets. It's a crime that has grown substantially
over the past decade. Retailers are forced to offset these
significant costs through higher prices - meaning that honest
consumers are forced to endure the impact of organized retail theft
and professional shoplifters.

One of the ways that criminals commit these offenses is through the
use of an emergency exit. These thieves have been known to hide in
retail stores and wait for all employees to leave before removing
large amounts of goods through emergency exits. By amending the
general business law and the penal law to enhance penalties for those
thieves who steal from a retail establishment, and depart from an
emergency exit, these types of schemes can be deterred

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of November
next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.