Aug. 26, 2015
HARRISBURG-- In a move to counter scrap metal theft, Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) has introduced legislation to help law enforcement investigate such crimes.
House Bill 1491 would amend the Scrap Metal Theft Prevention Act, also known as Act 113 of 2008, to assist law enforcement in investigations involving stolen scrap metal.
“Time and time again I hear from constituents about property, like lawnmowers and other equipment, being stolen from their yards, so the materials can be stripped down and sold as scrap metal,” Taylor said. “This scenario is not unique to my district.”
Under current law, scrap metal processors and recycling facility operators are not required to retain sufficient information about the seller or items received to assist with investigations involving a theft of scrap metals. Additionally, scrap materials can be processed by a facility quickly and this further hampers theft investigations.
House Bill 1491 requires scrap metal processors and recycling facility operators to maintain proof of identification of a seller for all transactions. It also requires a scrap metal processor or recycling facility operator to retain items for 14 business days, and prohibits cash transactions.
“These provisions will help identify sellers of stolen scrap materials, and deter sales of stolen scrap material by thieves looking to make a quick buck,” Taylor said. “The bill also provides law enforcement with valuable tools to investigate and enforce thefts of scrap materials.”
House Bill 1491 is before the House Consumer Affairs Committee.
Representative John Taylor
177th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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