TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF MAIL THEFT; AND TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF THEFT OR UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OF A MAIL RECEPTACLE KEY OR LOCK.

Senate Bill 513 establishes two new criminal offenses in Arkansas law. First, it creates the offense of mail theft, which occurs when a person knowingly takes, obtains by deception, or possesses unlawfully acquired mail belonging to another person from a mail depository or postal service. Second, it criminalizes the theft or unauthorized reproduction of a mail receptacle key or lock used by a postal service. Both offenses are classified as felonies, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses, and require convicted individuals to make full restitution to victims. This bill directly affects individuals whose mail or postal keys are targeted, as well as those who commit these illegal acts.