HB1509 amends Pennsylvania’s Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act to add a specific criminal penalty for detached catalytic converters. Under the bill, a person who intentionally possesses a detached catalytic converter that is not tied to a commercial account and lacks proper justification would commit a misdemeanor of the third degree. The measure is aimed at addressing theft and illegal trafficking of catalytic converters, which have become a common target because of the valuable metals they contain.
The bill does not change the broader reporting or purchasing rules in the underlying scrap materials law; instead, it adds a new enforcement tool by making unlawful possession of certain detached catalytic converters a criminal offense. It would take effect 60 days after enactment and would apply statewide, affecting individuals in possession of loose catalytic converters as well as law enforcement and prosecutors responsible for enforcing scrap theft and related property-crime laws.
Impact
HB1509 would amend the existing Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act by adding a new subsection to the penalties section. The practical effect is to create a third-degree misdemeanor for intentional possession of a detached catalytic converter unless it is associated with a commercial account and supported by proper justification. This expands the state’s ability to prosecute catalytic converter theft and possession-related offenses, while leaving the rest of the scrap processor and recycling facility regulatory framework intact.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a targeted anti-theft measure with a law-enforcement focus. The sponsorship and narrow drafting suggest generally supportive intent around curbing catalytic converter theft and related black-market activity. No contrary viewpoints are documented in the supplied record.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the scope of criminal liability for possession of a detached catalytic converter, especially the phrase requiring a person to have “proper justification” and the exception for commercial accounts. Questions could arise about how intent and justification would be proven, what qualifies as proper justification, and whether legitimate recyclers, mechanics, tow operators, or other lawful possessors could face uncertainty. No specific opposition or competing arguments are recorded in the provided transcript or vote history.
Further providing for identification requirements for sale of scrap materials to scrap processors and recycling facility operators and for penalties; and imposing penalties.
Requiring scrap processors and recycling facility operators to collect certain information relating to the purchase of scrap material; requiring commercial accounts; restricting scrap processors and recycling facility operators from purchasing certain materials; and making a repeal.