FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has passed a bill to double the minimum dollar amount required to charge someone with the crime of felony theft. The criminal-justice reform legislation would increase the minimum threshold to $1,000 from the current $500. Property thefts under $1,000 would be considered a misdemeanor, which carries a lesser penalty. The bill won House passage Wednesday and heads to the Senate next. Lead sponsor Republican Rep. C. Ed Massey says it won’t lessen a commitment to accountability, but will offer people who exercise poor judgment to have a second chance. Opponents say the bill could unintentionally lead to more thefts.
