Crimes: looting.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Died
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill changes the legal definition of ‘looting’ in California. It expands the definition to include theft of property during a state or local emergency, and also elevates the penalties for looting to felony status when committed during such emergencies, regardless of the value of the stolen goods. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which a ‘state of emergency’ or ‘local emergency’ are declared and addresses impersonating first responders.
Key provisions
- Looting is defined as theft of property during a state or local emergency.
- Looting is now a felony, regardless of the value of the stolen goods, during a state or local emergency.
- Petty theft during an emergency is now considered looting and is punishable by up to one year in jail or as a felony.
- Grand theft during an emergency is now considered looting and is punishable by imprisonment in state prison.
- The bill requires a minimum jail sentence of 90 days for those convicted of looting.
- Impersonating a first responder while committing looting results in an additional two-year prison sentence.
- Specific criteria are defined for declaring ‘state of emergency’ and ‘local emergency’ conditions.
- Consensual entry into a commercial structure is excluded from the definition of looting.
Who is affected
- Individuals accused of theft
- County and city law enforcement agencies
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours