TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF THEFT OF EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES.

Senate Bill 509 creates the new criminal offense of "Theft of Equipment Rental Services" in Arkansas. This bill directly affects individuals who rent or lease equipment and the businesses that provide these services. It outlines that a person commits this offense by knowingly failing to return equipment after the rental period, damaging leased equipment, or failing to pay for the time they had control of the equipment. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B felony, depending on the monetary value of the unreturned service or damage. The bill also requires convicted individuals to pay restitution for any unpaid rental services and equipment damage.