1     
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AMENDMENTS

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings

5     
Senate Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill directs the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety
10     to create a multi-agency joint strike force and the Joint Organized Retail Crime Unit to
11     combat certain crimes.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     directs the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety to
15     create and coordinate a multi-agency joint strike force to combat crimes that may
16     have a negative impact on the state's economy;
17          ▸     directs the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety to
18     establish the Joint Organized Retail Crime Unit; and
19          ▸     establishes reporting requirements.
20     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21          None
22     Other Special Clauses:
23          None
24     Utah Code Sections Affected:
25     ENACTS:
26          67-5-36, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27     

28     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

29          Section 1. Section 67-5-36 is enacted to read:
30          67-5-36. Multi-agency joint strike force -- Joint Organized Retail Crime Unit.
31          (1) The Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety shall
32     create and coordinate the operation of a multi-agency joint strike force to combat criminal
33     activity that may have a negative impact on the state's economy.
34          (2) The attorney general and the Department of Public Safety shall invite federal, state,
35     and local law enforcement personnel to participate in the joint strike force to more effectively
36     utilize their combined skills, expertise, and resources.
37          (3) The joint strike force shall focus the joint strike force's efforts on detecting,
38     investigating, deterring, and eradicating criminal activity, described in Subsection (1), within
39     the state, including organized retail crime, antitrust violations, intellectual property rights
40     violations, gambling, and the purchase of stolen goods for the purpose of reselling the stolen
41     goods for profit.
42          (4) In conjunction with the joint strike force, the Office of the Attorney General and the
43     Department of Public Safety shall establish the Joint Organized Retail Crime Unit for the
44     purpose of:
45          (a) investigating, apprehending, and prosecuting individuals or entities that participate
46     in the purchase, sale, or distribution of stolen property; and
47          (b) targeting individuals or entities that commit theft and other property crimes for
48     financial gain.
49          (5) The joint strike force shall provide an annual report to the Law Enforcement and
50     Criminal Justice Interim Committee before December 1 that describes the joint strike force's
51     activities and any recommendations for modifications to this section.