Mississippi Senate Bill SB2548

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Organized retail theft; revise.

Impact

The revisions to Sections 97-43-3 and 97-43-3.1 enhance the legal tools available to law enforcement against organized retail theft. By categorizing these activities under serious crimes, it elevates the penalties for perpetrators, classifying violations as felonies punishable by significant fines and imprisonment. This amendment is designed to strengthen deterrence against the growing issue of organized retail crime, which has been impacting retailers across the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 2548 seeks to revise the definitions and provisions related to organized retail theft and organized retail theft enterprises within the Mississippi Code. The proposed amendments clarify the legal framework surrounding these crimes, making it explicitly illegal to conduct or manage such enterprises. The bill outlines a range of criminal activities that are encompassed under organized retail theft, including shoplifting, fraud, and the recruitment of individuals for these illegal activities.

Contention

While proponents of the bill argue that it will provide necessary support to law enforcement and retailers, concerns have been expressed about the potential for overreach. Critics fear that the broad definitions of organized retail theft could lead to disproportionate penalties for minor infractions and disproportionately affect lower-income individuals. The balance between stringent laws to combat serious crimes and maintaining fair treatment for all individuals remains a key area of contention in the discussions surrounding SB2548.