HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2213

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to mail theft.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many families rely on delivery services. There has been a major increase in the amount of online orders being placed, and subsequently fulfilled by shipping items through the mail. Most packages sent through the mail are left outside the door at their intended destination if there is no mail receptacle large enough for the package on site. 

     The legislature further finds that reports of mail theft are on the rise. When mail carriers leave packages by doors or in otherwise unsecured mail receptacles, the packages are susceptible to theft, leading to frustration from both senders and intended recipients.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the criminal offense of mail theft.

     SECTION 2. Section 780, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "[§780 - ] Mail theft. (1) For the purpose of this section:

     "Mail" means a package, bag, box, or other sealed article that:

     (a) is delivered by a common carrier or delivery service and not yet received by the addressee; or

     (b) has been left to be collected for delivery by a common carrier or delivery service.

     (2) A person commits an offense of mail theft if the person intentionally appropriates mail from another person's mailbox or premises without the effective consent of the addressee and with the intent to deprive that addressee of the mail.

     SECTION 3. Violation of this section shall be a class C felony.

     SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections, the revisor of statutes shall substitute the appropriate section number for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Mail theft

 

Description:

Establishes the new criminal offense of mail theft.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.