AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GIFT CARD FRAUD

HB 6212 reclassifies certain gift card fraud offenses as larceny under criminal law, directly affecting gift card holders, issuers, and retailers. The bill makes it a crime to: (1) steal or keep a gift card without consent under $1,500 (larceny, up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail), (2) alter a gift card (misdemeanor, same penalties), or (3) use stolen cards over $1,500 (larceny with standard penalties). It replaces prior civil penalties ($250 max) with criminal consequences for intentional fraud. The law takes effect upon passage and applies to both physical and digital gift cards.