California Attorney General Rob Bonta has unveiled a new law enforcement bulletin highlighting ten new California ORC bills that were signed into law by the governor on August 16, 2024. The laws will take effect on January 1, 2025, except for AB 1972, which took effect immediately on August 16, 2024.
“The only way we can take these criminals down is by beating them at their own game,” Bonta said. “We need to be equally nimble, coordinated, organized—and then some. I am thankful for great partners like CHP, local law enforcement, and district attorneys. We must be a united front that spans law enforcement, prosecutors, retailers, and online marketplaces. This bulletin summarizes the new laws that can be used as tools to fight organized retail crime head on.”
“The CHP’s organized retail theft investigation teams are making significant progress, dismantling criminal networks that target our retailers,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Their relentless efforts, strong partnerships with local businesses, and focus on community safety show that we are actively tackling organized theft head-on.”
The new laws summarized in the bulletin represent a comprehensive approach to addressing criminal behavior by focusing on the aggregation of related offenses. This means that when multiple offenses are committed that are connected in some way, they can be treated as a single, more serious violation. This provision aims to ensure that individuals who engage in a pattern of criminal activity are held accountable for the full extent of their actions.
Additionally, the new laws include different provisions that allow for arrests to be made under suitable conditions. This empowers law enforcement to take decisive action when they encounter situations that warrant an arrest. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to enhance penalties for significant thefts, reflecting a zero-tolerance stance on property crimes that have a substantial impact on victims and communities. By increasing the consequences for these serious offenses, the laws aim to deter individuals from engaging in such criminal behavior and to ensure that those who do are met with appropriate repercussions.
A copy of the bulletin can be found here.