California Enacts Comprehensive Retail Theft Legislation

Governor Newsom signs ten bills to combat organized retail crime and enhance penalties for repeat offenders.

The new laws target various aspects of retail theft, including online reselling and smash-and-grab robberies.
Legislation allows for aggregation of charges across multiple jurisdictions and higher penalties for serial offenders.
Retailers can now obtain restraining orders against convicted shoplifters under the new laws.
The package received bipartisan support, though some progressive Democrats expressed concerns about its punitive measures.
Governor Newsom emphasized the laws' role in addressing organized retail crime without reverting to mass incarceration.