SACRAMENTO, Calif. - After many years of being at the mercy of ineffective investigations and resulting empty-handed recoveries when it came to rented equipment, California rental centers now have state backing in the retrieval process.

Senate Bill 1867, which takes effect Jan. 1, states that there will be a "rebuttable" presumption of theft when rented property valued at $1,000 or more has not been returned within 10 days after a demand letter is sent. Currently, California rental companies have to wait 20 days after sending a letter demanding that property be returned before the loss can be reported to law enforcement. By that time many leads have evaporated, making recovery less likely. For missing property valued at less than $1,000, the 20-day rule still applies.