Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2419 is enacted to read:

§2419.__Theft of motor fuels by driving away

1.__Definition.__A person commits a Class E crime if the person places motor fuel in the person's vehicle at a retail fuel outlet and with intent to deprive the owner of the value of the motor fuel leaves the retail fuel outlet without paying for the motor fuel.__As used in this subsection, "retail fuel outlet" means a place at which gasoline or diesel fuel is stored and supplied to the public.

2.__Penalties.__In addition to any other penalty, the court shall suspend the person's license for not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days, which minimum may not be suspended. If the court fails to suspend the license, the Secretary of State shall impose the minimum period of suspension.

3. Notice. The court shall give notice of the suspension and take physical custody of a driver's license as provided in section 2434.

SUMMARY

Current law prohibits theft; if the value of the property or services stolen does not exceed $1,000, the theft is a Class E crime.

This bill creates a new crime of theft of motor fuel by driving away to prohibit a person from putting motor fuel into the person's vehicle and then leaving the retail fuel outlet without paying for the fuel. In addition to the penalties imposed as a Class E crime, the court is required to suspend the person's driver's license for at least 30 days but not more than 180 days.