HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2383

Title:An act  relating to possession of stolen checks or drafts.

Brief Description:Concerning the crime of possessing stolen property in the second degree.

Sponsors:Representatives Dunn, Carlson, Pennington, Sheahan, Mulliken, Gardner and Dunshee.

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:January 20, 1998. 

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841). 

Background:APossession@ of stolen credit cards or access devices issued in the names of two or more persons creates a presumption that the possessor had knowledge that the items were stolen. The possession of these stolen credit cards or access devices is theft in the third degree and is a gross misdemeanor.

ATheft@ of checks or drafts is theft in the third degree and is a gross misdemeanor.

Summary:The Apossession@ of stolen checks or drafts issued in the accounts of two or more people creates a presumption that the possessor knows that they are stolen.  The possession of stolen checks or drafts is theft in the second degree, a level 1, class C felony.

The penalty for the Atheft@ of checks or drafts is also increased from a gross misdemeanor to a level 1, class C felony.

Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:No fiscal note required.

Effective Date:This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.