New York State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda
(D-Bronx) have introduced legislation SB ____ to “amend the general obligations
law, in relation to requiring mercantile establishments to cease collections
upon a court order finding of not guilty of larceny in mercantile establishments.”
This legislation is in response to the growing number of news stories about
people who have shopped at Macy’s and other stores and have been erroneously
charged with shoplifting.
Senator Rev Diaz stated: “This legislation is intended to protect consumers – especially Black and Hispanic men and women who shop at Macy’s or elsewhere – and who are not guilty of any criminal activity and do not deserve to be fined by the stores for crimes they did not commit.”
Senator Rev Diaz stated: “This legislation is intended to protect consumers – especially Black and Hispanic men and women who shop at Macy’s or elsewhere – and who are not guilty of any criminal activity and do not deserve to be fined by the stores for crimes they did not commit.”
Assemblyman Sepulveda stated: “Our city is known for its rich diversity of persons of varying socio-economic backgrounds. Everyone has the right to purchase goods without fearing that they will be suspected of shoplifting. New York State Senator Ruben Diaz and I are proposing legislation that would require merchants to cease attempts to collect fines against a customer falsely accused of shoplifting. It is shameful that innocent people are blacklisted. We, as legislators, will continue to fight against these inherently unfair and unjust practices.”
