SB62 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, theft of shoplifting, crime created

Summary

SB 62 would create the crime of theft by shoplifting and set penalties based on how much merchandise is stolen.

What This Bill Does

It creates theft by shoplifting and assigns penalties by value, with four degrees of offense. It defines key terms (conceal, merchandise, merchant, premises, value) and lists specific ways someone could commit shoplifting (concealing items, changing price tags, transferring items to pay less, causing the cash register to show less value, skipping self-checkout payments, and disabling security devices). It also says that evidence like the unaltered price tag proves value and that certain acts are prima facie evidence of intent to deprive. The penalties range from a Class B felony for value over $2,500 down to a Class A misdemeanor for value at or below $500, including a second-degree provision for firearms valued up to $2,500.

Who It Affects

• Individuals accused or convicted of shoplifting; they could face escalating criminal penalties based on the value of the stolen items.
• Retail businesses and their employees, as the law defines shoplifting acts and establishes enforcement standards and evidence specific to retail settings.

Key Provisions

• Creates theft by shoplifting with penalties based on merchandise value (> $2,500 = first degree; $1,500–$2,500 = second degree; $500–$1,500 = third degree; ≤ $500 = fourth degree).
• Defines terms: conceal, merchandise, merchant, premises, and value.
• Enumerates acts that constitute theft by shoplifting (concealing and taking; altering price tags; transferring merchandise to pay less; causing cash register to reflect less than product value; not scanning at self-checkout; disabling or bypassing security devices).
• Establishes prima facie evidence that the offender intends to deprive the merchant of full value, and uses the unaltered price tag as evidence of actual value and ownership.
• Includes a second-degree provision for firearms valued up to $2,500, in addition to merchandise valued $1,500–$2,500.
• Notes that the bill would require a new or increased local-fund expenditure, but is exempt from local-government approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses