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HSB 181

A bill for an act relating to theft, forgery, and fraud involving a gift card, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HSB 181 - Gift Card Theft, Forgery, and Fraud OverviewBill Number: HSB 181 Title: A bill for an act relating to theft, forgery, and fraud involving a gift card, and providing pena

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 842.
#criminallaw #forgery #fraud #giftcertificates #theft
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Bill Summary · HSB 181

HSB 181 - Gift Card Theft, Forgery, and Fraud

Overview

Bill Number: HSB 181
Title: A bill for an act relating to theft, forgery, and fraud involving a gift card, and providing penalties.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 842.
Introduced: February 17, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this bill is to strengthen laws and penalties around the theft, forgery, and fraudulent use of gift cards. The legislation aims to deter these types of financial crimes and provide more effective tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to address them.

Key Provisions

  • Expands the definition of "theft" to explicitly include the unauthorized taking, use, transfer, or possession of a gift card.
  • Establishes new criminal offenses for "gift card forgery" and "gift card fraud", with penalties based on the value of the gift card(s) involved.
  • Increases the criminal penalties for theft, forgery, and fraud involving gift cards, with higher fines and potential jail time depending on the value.
  • Requires retailers to prominently display warnings about the illegality of gift card theft, forgery, and fraud.
  • Directs the state consumer protection agency to develop educational materials and public awareness campaigns on these issues.

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would primarily impact individuals who engage in the theft, forgery, or fraudulent use of gift cards, subjecting them to increased criminal penalties. Retailers that sell gift cards would also be affected, as they would be required to display new warning signage.

Consumers and the general public may benefit from reduced incidents of gift card-related crimes, as well as increased awareness and education around these issues.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

HSB 181 has been approved by the relevant legislative committee and has been renumbered as HF 842. It will now proceed to the full House for consideration and a vote. If passed by the House, the bill would then move to the Senate for further review and potential amendments before a final vote.

The bill has bipartisan support and is expected to advance through the legislative process, though the timeline for final passage remains uncertain.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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