SB 1345 - This act modifies the law regarding the crimes of stealing, tampering, and receiving stolen property.

The act:

(1) Requires the court to order that restitution be paid to the victim of tampering or auto theft, including the victim's insurance deductible payment, towing and storage fees, and any wages lost by the victim in prosecuting the offense;

(2) Prohibits the court or the Division of Probation and Parole from releasing a person early from probation or parole if the person has failed to pay restitution;

(3) Makes evidence of prior acts of tampering admissible to prove the requisite knowledge or belief in a current tampering case;

(4) Makes tampering in the second degree a Class C felony when the person has a prior conviction for tampering in the first or second degree, auto theft, or receiving stolen property;

(5) Expands the crime of stealing to include obtaining control over property or services when a reasonable person would realize that such property was stolen and clarifies that the crime occurs when undercover police are posing as sellers of stolen property; and

(6) Makes auto theft a class B felony when the person has two prior convictions for stealing-related offenses.

This act is identical to HB 1470 (2004).
SUSAN HENDERSON