State Rep. Scott Boyd is hopeful that a heightening wave of metal theft crimes will be minimized with passage of tough new legislation to more closely regulate the scrap metal industry. 

“High prices – often in cash – paid for scrap metal have fueled a skyrocketing level of metal theft crime in Pennsylvania and across the country. The thefts of items like electrical cable, copper wiring and flashing, air conditioner coils, metal down spouts and light fixtures can cause staggering losses for local governments and businesses. Plus, individuals have bore the brunt of thefts of expensive items like catalytic converters from vehicles,” Boyd said. “This bill can really help to get this problem under control.”

Final enactment of House Bill 1742 would require the development a registry for scrap metal sellers in Pennsylvania, penalize people who steal scrap metal from residential and construction sites, and establish a time frame for which scrap processors or recycling facilities must hold stolen scrap materials. Additionally, any scrap metal dealer who receives more than $100 worth of scrap to keep a copy of the seller’s photo driver’s license, signature and license plate number on file.

Under the bill’s provisions, if a law enforcement officer inquires about a possible theft, the scrap dealer must notify officials within 24 hours if they have any items matching the stolen material. The dealer must then hold the scrap for at least 48 hours in case the enforcement agency needs it for evidence or the true owner wants the items returned.   Scrap businesses that violate the law would be subject to fines of up to $2,500 for a first, summary offense. Subsequent violations would be considered a third-degree misdemeanor.

Boyd co-authored House Bill 1742 with Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne). The bill passed in the state House and Senate on Wednesday and awaits the governor’s signature. Both Boyd and Pashinski expect the governor to sign the legislation into law.

“This legislation will serve as a serious deterrent for crime,” Boyd said. “Now that law enforcement agencies will have an easier and more accurate method of tracking stolen materials, they are in a much better position to catch the perpetrators.

“Because the scrap metal business generally deals in cash transactions, those who sell stolen goods receive large amounts of cash. Certainly, many of these theft transactions turn directly into illegal drug transactions. Thus, I’m hopeful that this new legislation will have far-reaching positive implications.”

Across Pennsylvania and the nation, schools, municipal governments, businesses and churches have been faced with huge repair costs from missing metal, and weather effects when the discovery of missing flashing, downspouts and the like is discovered after a rain storm. Small businesses like contractors suffer huge losses when tools and materials are stolen. Additionally, individuals suffer the emotional aftermath of scrap metal thefts with the meteoric rise in the disappearance of veterans’ grave markers. 

Boyd also noted that the passage of this bill was an excellent opportunity for bipartisan cooperation. He and Pashinski worked together to draft the legislation and garner support from House and Senate colleagues. The legislation passed by wide margins in both chambers.

“In recent months, rarely a week has gone by without stories appearing in the news regarding scrap metal theft,” Pashinski said. “Construction materials, aluminum bleachers, manhole covers, beer kegs, copper tubing from homes, copper downspouts from churches, and even mausoleum doors from cemeteries have all been subject to these senseless thefts.”

Once signed into law, the legislation will take effect in 60 days.

Rep. Scott W. Boyd

43rd District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(717) 464-5285

(717) 783-6422

RepBoyd.com

Contact: Diane Moore

House Republican Public Relations

(717) 772-9844 or dmoore@pahousegop.com