Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 aims to curb large-scale retail theft by strengthening federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute professional theft rings. The bill would establish a new Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to align efforts between federal, state, and local agencies and private retail businesses. Additionally, it expands federal money laundering and forfeiture laws to include organized retail theft, allowing the government to seize assets and proceeds gained from these criminal operations. For the average citizen, this legislation is intended to reduce the frequency of coordinated "smash-and-grab" robberies and the resale of stolen goods, potentially leading to increased safety in shopping districts and more stable prices for consumer goods.