Plain English Breakdown
The source states that no reimbursement is required but does not explain the specified reason.
AB-271: Changes to Looting Laws
This law changes how looting is punished during emergencies by making some acts felonies and adding penalties for impersonating emergency workers.
What This Bill Does
- Makes looting committed through second-degree burglary or grand theft punishable only as a felony, removing the option of county jail time.
- Defines petty theft committed in an affected county during a state or local emergency as the crime of looting.
- Sets punishment for this new type of looting at one year in county jail or as a felony.
- Adds extra penalties for anyone who impersonates a peace officer, firefighter, government employee, or search and rescue team while committing or attempting to commit looting.
Who It Names or Affects
- People accused of stealing property during a state or local emergency in an affected county.
- Individuals who enter buildings with intent to steal during emergencies without permission.
- Persons who pretend to be peace officers, firefighters, government workers, or search and rescue teams while looting.
Terms To Know
- Looting
- Theft committed in an affected county during a declared state of emergency or local emergency.
- Petty theft
- Stealing property worth $950 or less, which becomes looting under this bill if done during an emergency.
- Felony
- A serious crime that can result in prison time instead of just jail time for shorter periods.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify the exact length or amount of extra penalties added for impersonating emergency workers.
- The text states no state reimbursement is required but gives only a general reason without listing specific details.
- The effective date of this law is not listed in the provided source material.