Deterring criminal conduct involving gift cards.

SB 5644 amends Washington state theft statutes by updating definitions related to criminal conduct involving access devices and deception. It clarifies terms like "access device" (including gift cards) and "deception" to better address modern theft methods, affecting anyone potentially charged with property-related crimes. The bill does not create new penalties but refines existing legal language to ensure theft statutes cover digital and physical access devices consistently. It directly impacts law enforcement and courts when prosecuting theft cases involving items like gift cards, credit cards, or digital accounts. The bill was referred to the Law & Justice committee on February 3, 2025.