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House Judiciary weighs restoring tougher retail‑theft penalties; civil‑rights groups caution against jailing low‑level offenders
Summary
Sen. Barry Ushersponsored SB19 to roll back 2017 reforms and increase penalties for repeat retail theft; retailers and county attorneys backed the change as a deterrent, while the ACLU and policy groups warned it would criminalize poverty and raise prison costs.
Sen. Barry Usher opened a hearing on Senate Bill 19, a bill that would change theft definitions and penalties to restore higher sanctions for repeated retail theft and adjust the statutory definition of a "common scheme." Supporters from the retail industry, county attorneys and law‑enforcement groups said the 2017 changes reduced accountability and enabled organized theft.
Brad Griffin (Montana…
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