AB-710
Consumer Protection

Theft of a gift card.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes new criminal penalties for gift card theft, fraud, and forgery in California.
  • Classifies theft of gift cards valued over $950 as grand theft, punishable as a felony.
  • Criminalizes fraudulent schemes to obtain gift cards through false pretenses or misrepresentation.
  • Applies to both physical and digital gift cards, including single-store and multi-merchant cards.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Member Irwin's legislation addressing gift card fraud establishes new criminal penalties for unauthorized acquisition and misuse of gift cards, creating specific theft and forgery offenses within California's Penal Code.

The measure defines several distinct criminal acts involving gift cards, including fraudulent acquisition, tampering, unauthorized use, and schemes to obtain cards or redemption information through deception. When the value of goods or services obtained through these violations exceeds $950, the offense qualifies as grand theft, punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony. The bill applies to both physical and digital gift cards, encompassing single-merchant "closed-loop" cards as well as "open-loop" cards accepted by multiple unaffiliated merchants.

To facilitate consistent enforcement, the legislation provides detailed definitions of key terms, including "cardholder," "card issuer," and "gift card redemption information." The bill specifies that "value" refers to the maximum potential economic loss, accounting for both fixed-value cards and variable-load cards that can be replenished. While creating these new criminal offenses, the measure includes provisions confirming that no state reimbursement to local agencies is required under California's Constitution, as the changes only involve crime classification and penalties.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Jacqui Irwin
Jacqui IrwinD
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes new criminal penalties for gift card theft, fraud, and forgery in California.
  • Classifies theft of gift cards valued over $950 as grand theft, punishable as a felony.
  • Criminalizes fraudulent schemes to obtain gift cards through false pretenses or misrepresentation.
  • Applies to both physical and digital gift cards, including single-store and multi-merchant cards.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Jacqui Irwin
Jacqui IrwinD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Irwin's legislation addressing gift card fraud establishes new criminal penalties for unauthorized acquisition and misuse of gift cards, creating specific theft and forgery offenses within California's Penal Code.

The measure defines several distinct criminal acts involving gift cards, including fraudulent acquisition, tampering, unauthorized use, and schemes to obtain cards or redemption information through deception. When the value of goods or services obtained through these violations exceeds $950, the offense qualifies as grand theft, punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony. The bill applies to both physical and digital gift cards, encompassing single-merchant "closed-loop" cards as well as "open-loop" cards accepted by multiple unaffiliated merchants.

To facilitate consistent enforcement, the legislation provides detailed definitions of key terms, including "cardholder," "card issuer," and "gift card redemption information." The bill specifies that "value" refers to the maximum potential economic loss, accounting for both fixed-value cards and variable-load cards that can be replenished. While creating these new criminal offenses, the measure includes provisions confirming that no state reimbursement to local agencies is required under California's Constitution, as the changes only involve crime classification and penalties.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assembly Member
Committee Member