News pundit claims that a proposed new law would make it 1) “illegal for store employees to confront shoplifters”, and that 2) “it is legal to shoplift” in California.

What can we make of these claims?

Let’s start with claim one. This claim is specifically referencing Senate Bill 553 in California. The bill has so far cleared the Senate and is currently working it’s way through committees within the house.

I have not done a thorough reading of the bill, but there is only two parts I see that reference shoplifting, and only one in relation to confronting shoplifters. That reads:

6401.9 (b) (12) Provisions prohibiting the employer from maintaining policies that require employees to confront active shooters or suspected shoplifters.

It would prevent companies from having policies that would try and stop shoplifters/active shooters. Anecdotally, I work in retail and it’s my store’s policy to let all shoplifters be. I don’t live in California but a southern state. So even with the politics of the area it isn’t encouraged to confront shoplifters.

And in my (unasked for) opinion realistically it’s just not worth it; even if they end up stealing hundred or thousands of dollars in merchandise it’s not worth my life to fight over it. Especially at the wage I make.

For part two, it’s entirely hyperbole to completely factitious. Shoplifting in California is illegal and always has been to my knowledge. In order for it to qualify as felony shoplifting it has to be over $950 as of 2014. But it is still a misdemeanor if it’s any amount up to $950. Here is the specific text for those interested.