House Criminal Justice Committee Tackles Skimmers and Squatters

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a package of bills Wednesday that would ban “skimmers,” devices that obtain others’ card information while they’re using an ATM or other machine that reads credit cards.

House Bills 5050, 5051, 5052, 5053, and 5054 would make it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 to be in possession of, transfer, purchase, install, or utilize a skimmer.

Testimony was also heard on bills that would prohibit “squatting,” which is when a person who lacks permission enters and proceeds to live in a vacant home or building.

House Bills 5069, 5070, and 5071, as introduced, apply the criminalization of “squatting” to buildings with a state equalized value of $50,000 or more; however, the package’s sponsor, Representative Kurt Heise (R-Canton Township), stated during testimony that he was willing to work with Committee members on making the legislation better.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 25, 2013 11:17 AM
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