HB 549 institutes the following:
- A third-degree felony, punishable up to 5 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals.
- A second-degree felony, punishable up to 15 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals and use social media to solicit others to participate in the theft.
- A first-degree felony, punishable up to 30 years in prison, if a criminal commits retail theft with a firearm or with two or more prior convictions of retail theft.
- The ability to charge a felony for multiple retail thefts occurring in the span of 120 days, which is an increase from 30 days.
HB 549 also increases the punishments for porch piracy as follows:
- Theft of property in an amount less than $40 is a first-degree misdemeanor.
- A subsequent violation is a third-degree felony.
- Theft of property valued at $40 or more is a third-degree felony.
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/gov-desantis-oks-tougher-retail-theft-porch-piracy-laws/
