SB1379

The underlying offense still requires forging a writing with intent to defraud or harm another. SB1379 changes punishment categories, not that basic definition. Unless a specific category applies, forgery rises from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. Listed commercial instruments, including checks, deeds, wills, credit cards and contracts, move from a state jail felony to a third-degree felony. Money, securities, specified government documents such as licenses and permits, and the other instruments listed in subsection (e) move from third- to second-degree felonies. The latter two rules are expressly subject to the value-based rule below. Prior forgery law; Referenced government-document definition; Final law.

If proved at trial that the conduct was to obtain or attempt to obtain property or a service, subsection (e-1) supplies these value-based categories: Final law.

• Under $100: Class C becomes Class B misdemeanor.
• $100 to under $750: Class B becomes Class A misdemeanor.
• $750 to under $2,500: Class A becomes state jail felony.
• $2,500 to under $30,000: state jail becomes third-degree felony.
• $30,000 to under $150,000: third-degree becomes second-degree felony.
• $150,000 or more: first-degree felony. Previously, $150,000 to under $300,000 was second degree; $300,000 or more was already first degree.

The existing additional increase to the next higher category for forgery against a person aged 65 or older remains, with the first-degree value category excepted. The bill updates that exception’s subsection number; it does not newly create the elderly-victim enhancement. Final law; Prior enhancement; Age definition, subsection (c)(2).

The increases apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. If any element occurred before then, the former law governs. All five substantive bill versions match; the amendment index lists no amendments. Introduced; Senate committee; Senate-passed; House committee; Final law; Version index; Amendment index.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

People convicted under the affected categories face more severe potential punishment, and prosecutors and courts must distinguish the instrument-based categories from the property-or-service value rule. For scale, the ordinary Class A maximum is one year in jail, while the ordinary state jail felony range is 180 days to two years. A first-degree felony ordinarily carries five to 99 years or life. These are statutory ranges, not a prediction of any individual’s sentence; other applicable sentencing rules can matter. Class A punishment; State jail punishment; First-degree punishment.

The March 11 introduced-version fiscal note projects net state savings of $158,250 over fiscal years 2026–27, then costs of about $3.56 million in 2028, $16.91 million in 2029 and $37.40 million in 2030. Its table shows costs beginning in 2028, although its narrative says the fourth year; this briefing follows the dated table rather than concealing that inconsistency. The estimate anticipates more prison admissions and longer stays; the accompanying impact statement calls the correctional-resource effect significant. These are projections, not appropriated funds or observed outcomes. The substantive introduced text survived unchanged. Fiscal note; Criminal justice impact statement.

Local enforcement, prosecution, supervision and confinement costs could not be determined. The Office of Court Administration said shifting offenses from misdemeanors to felonies may reduce county-level court docket volume; that is not a finding that the entire justice system saves money. Stronger penalties may be intended to discourage forgery, but these sources do not establish an actual reduction in offending or victim losses. Fiscal note; Final law.