TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF THEFT OF EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES.

Senate Bill 477 creates a new criminal offense in Arkansas called "Theft of Equipment Rental Services," impacting individuals who rent equipment and the businesses that lease it. This offense occurs if a person knowingly keeps rented equipment beyond the agreed-upon period without authorization or causes damage that prevents the equipment from being rented again without repair. A person can avoid prosecution by compensating the lessor for the value of the extended rental time and any damage. Penalties for violations range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B felony, depending on the value of the unreturned service or damage, and convicted individuals must pay restitution.