A bipartisan group of lawmakers is backing a bill to increase consumer protections against package theft in New Jersey.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer is leading the proposal.

If passed, the Porch Pirate Bill would make it a federal crime to steal packages delivered by private carriers such as Amazon or FedEx.

Penalties could reach up to 10 years in prison, depending on the value of the items stolen and the method of theft.

The bill would also give the FBI and the Justice Department authority to investigate any porch piracy cases involving private carriers.