{"data":{"id":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-266-30b","jurisdiction":"us-ma","citation":"Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 30B","heading":"Unlawful distribution, possession, or deactivation or removal of theft detection shielding device; unlawful distribution or possession of theft detection device deactivator or remover; penalty","body":"Section 30B. (a) A person shall be guilty of unlawful distribution of a theft detection shielding device if the person knowingly manufactures, sells, offers for sale or distributes a laminated or coated bag or other device intended to shield merchandise from detection by an electronic or magnetic theft detector.\n(b) A person shall be guilty of unlawful possession of a theft detection shielding device if the person, with the intent to commit, aid or abet a theft, knowingly possesses a laminated or coated bag or device intended to shield merchandise from detection by an electronic or magnetic theft detector.\n(c) A person shall be guilty of unlawful possession of a theft detection device deactivator or remover if the person knowingly possesses any tool or device designed or adapted to either: (i) allow the deactivation of a theft detection device, with the intent to use such tool or device to deactivate a theft detection device on merchandise without the permission of the merchant or person owning or lawfully holding said merchandise; or (ii) allow the removal of a theft detection device from merchandise, with the intent to use such tool or device to remove a theft detection device from merchandise without the permission of the merchant or person owning or lawfully holding said merchandise.\n(d) A person shall be guilty of unlawful distribution of a theft detection device deactivator or remover if the person knowingly manufacturers, sells, offers for sale or distributes a tool or device designed or adapted to allow the deactivation of a theft detection device or to allow the removal of a theft detection device from merchandise, without the permission of the merchant or person owning or lawfully holding said merchandise.\n(e) A person shall be guilty of unlawful deactivation or removal of a theft detection device if the person intentionally deactivates or removes a theft detection device from merchandise prior to purchase, in a retail establishment, with the intent to steal said merchandise.\n(f) A violation of this section shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than $25,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.","path":["Part IV","Title I","Chapter 266"],"source_url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter266/Section30B","current_through":"amendments passed before May 31, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T05:25:11Z","sha256":"f0ac30840f0ef9617f63aa215df2baa88eddd023cb6788e2d4558ea2d2f1fc14","source_id":"us-ma","stale":false,"prev":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-266-30a","next":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-266-30c"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}