Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §363 is enacted to read:

§363.__Possession or transfer of theft tools

1.__A person is guilty of possession or transfer of theft tools if that person:

A.__Possesses or makes any tool, implement, instrument or other article that is adapted, designed or commonly used for advancing or facilitating crimes involving theft of property, including, but not limited to, a theft detection shielding device or a theft detection device deactivator or remover, with intent to use such tool, implement, instrument or other article to commit any such criminal offense; or

B.__Transfers or possesses with the intent to transfer any device described in paragraph A that that person knows is designed or primarily useful for the commission of a crime described in paragraph A.

2.__Possession or transfer of theft tools in violation of subsection 1, paragraph B is a Class D crime.__Possession or transfer of theft tools in violation of subsection 1, paragraph A is a Class E crime.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the possession or transfer of tools used to commit theft. It is based on the laws in this State that prohibit the possession or transfer of tools used to commit burglary.