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House adopts robbery-definition amendment to cover force used to retain stolen goods
Summary
Lawmakers passed a substitute to HB 37 clarifying that using force or fear to maintain possession of stolen property can constitute robbery; sponsors said it addresses inconsistent case law and has endorsements from criminal-justice groups.
The House passed Substitute HB 37 on Jan. 30 to amend the statutory definition of robbery. Representative Patricia D. Larson explained the change with a practical example: when a suspect conceals merchandise and then uses force or threats to keep it when challenged, the bill treats that conduct as robbery rather than separate misdemeanor theft and assault charges.
Larson said the measure resolves judicial inconsistency about whether maintaining possession by force qualifies as robbery and noted endorsements from the Commission for Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Statewide Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and law-enforcement groups. "This legislation makes it clear that if one steals or attempts to steal property by using force or fear, he—s actually guilty of robbery," Larson said. The House passed the substitute overwhelmingly (71-0) and referred it to the Senate.
Supporters described the bill as focused on violent offenders and as a clarification to protect victims and prosecutors from inconsistent outcomes under current law.
