Changeflow GovPing Government General Maine LD1773 Criminalizing Gift Card Thefts
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Maine LD1773 Criminalizing Gift Card Thefts

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Summary

Maine LD1773 enacts new criminal provisions targeting gift card theft, creating offenses for unauthorized acquisition, use, or tampering with gift cards. The bill passed both chambers of the 132nd Legislature and was enacted on April 13, 2026, after being amended by Committee Amendment S-177.

What changed

LD1773 enacts legislation specifically criminalizing theft and related offenses involving gift cards in Maine. The bill establishes that unauthorized acquisition, use, or tampering with gift cards constitutes criminal conduct subject to penalties under Maine law. The bill was amended by Committee Amendment S-177 before passage and received bipartisan sponsorship.

Retailers offering gift cards should ensure their practices comply with the new criminal provisions. Law enforcement agencies gain additional tools to prosecute gift card fraud schemes, which have become increasingly prevalent. Businesses should review their gift card systems and staff training to prevent potential violations.

What to do next

  1. Review internal gift card handling policies for compliance with new criminal provisions
  2. Monitor for implementing regulations or guidance from Maine criminal justice authorities

Archived snapshot

Apr 14, 2026

GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.

ChangeBridge / Maine / LD1773 Passed LD1773 LD Passed 2026-04-13

An Act to Criminalize Certain Offenses Related to Gift Card Thefts

Bill Details

State Maine

Session 132nd Legislature

Chamber House

Official Source legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_...

LegiScan View on LegiScan

Sponsors

Matthew Harrington (Sen - R) Edward Crockett (Rep - D) Scott Cyrway (Sen - R) Robert Nutting (Rep - R) Chad Perkins (Rep - R)

Action History

2026-04-13 S Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence. 2026-04-13 S On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. 2025-06-25 S CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. 2025-06-02 S On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence 2025-06-02 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-06-02 H PASSED TO BE ENACTED. 2025-06-02 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-06-02 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-177). 2025-06-02 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2025-06-02 H Committee Amendment "A" (S-177) was READ and ADOPTED. 2025-06-02 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2025-06-02 H On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED. 2025-06-02 H Reports READ. 2025-05-29 S Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence 2025-05-29 S Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-177) 2025-05-29 S Committee Amendment "A" (S-177) READ and ADOPTED. 2025-05-29 S Bill READ ONCE. 2025-05-29 S On motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. 2025-05-29 S Reports READ 2025-05-28 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/ONTP 2025-05-01 J Voted: Divided Report 2025-05-01 J Work Session Held 2025-04-24 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-04-24 H The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. 2025-04-24 S Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

Committee Referrals

2025-04-24 J Criminal Justice And Public Safety

Amendments

0000-00-00 Senate: C-A (S-177) Adopted

Bill Text Versions

0000-00-00 Introduced

Subjects

Crimes Thefts Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)

Named provisions

Criminal Offenses Related to Gift Cards

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Last updated

Classification

Agency
Maine Leg
Published
April 13th, 2026
Instrument
Rule
Legal weight
Binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive
Document ID
LD 1773, 132nd Maine Legislature

Who this affects

Applies to
Retailers Consumers Criminal defendants
Industry sector
4411 Retail Trade
Activity scope
Gift card sales Gift card fraud Retail transactions
Geographic scope
US-ME US-ME

Taxonomy

Primary area
Criminal Justice
Operational domain
Legal
Topics
Consumer Protection Financial Services

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