SCS/SBs 1043, 1031, 580 & 671 - This act revises various laws concerning theft of services or merchandise. The act creates the crime of theft of service, for knowingly securing the performance of a service by deception or threat, diverting another's services to the actor's own benefit, or holding personal property beyond the expiration of rental period without consent of the owner. Intent to avoid payment may be presumed under certain circumstances, such as failure to pay for an applicable rental charge within 10 days after receiving written notice demanding payment. Theft of service is a Class C felony if the value of the service is $500 or more; otherwise, it is a Class A misdemeanor.

The act also revises the felony stealing limit from $750 to $500, and references the new limit in statutes regarding determination of value, receiving stolen property and passing bad checks. This portion of the act is similar to SB 671. The act includes stealing from three separate establishments in one criminal episode, regardless of the value of the property, as a Class C felony. This provision is identical to a provision of SB 1031. Stealing any amount of liquid nitrogen, or an attempt to steal any amount of anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen, is a Class D felony.
JOAN GUMMELS