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

HB 8044 would treat fraud involving gift cards as theft (larceny), applying the same penalties to offenders. This directly affects gift card holders who are victims of fraud, such as when cards are stolen, duplicated, or sold without authorization. The bill’s key mechanism is amending commercial law to align gift card fraud offenses with existing larceny penalties under state law. This change would make fraud against gift card users subject to the same legal consequences as stealing physical property.