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Bill

SB 437

Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards

2026 Regular Session Introduced by William Folden

Maryland bill establishing criminal penalties and valuation standards for gift card theft and forgery to clarify prosecution of increasingly common fraud schemes.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 456
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 437

Legislative bill overview

SB 437 addresses criminal penalties related to gift card theft and fraud in Maryland by establishing how stolen or forged gift cards are valued for prosecution purposes and clarifying the legal treatment of gift card forgery as a distinct criminal offense. The bill appears to close gaps in existing theft and fraud statutes that may not adequately address the specific characteristics of gift card crimes.

Why is this important

Gift card theft has become increasingly common as retailers shift toward digital and physical gift card sales, yet existing theft laws were written before gift cards became prevalent. Clarifying valuation methods and forgery definitions ensures consistent prosecution, protects consumers who lose money to fraud, and gives law enforcement clear standards for charging offenders appropriately rather than under inadequate or mismatched statutes.

Potential points of contention

  • Valuation methodology: Whether stolen gift cards should be valued at face value, remaining balance, or resale value on secondary markets could significantly affect charge severity and sentencing ranges
  • Digital vs. physical cards: The bill must address whether digital gift cards (which can be copied) and physical cards are treated equally, or if different rules apply
  • Forgery definitions: Defining what constitutes "forgery" of a gift card (altering balance, creating counterfeit cards, duplicating codes) may create disputes about whether certain tech-savvy theft methods qualify

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

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