The Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) aimed at curbing the rise in catalytic converter thefts across the state.
Senate Bill 914 repeals the Scrap Metal Theft Prevention Act and moves its requirements into Title 18, the Crimes Code. The changes require scrap processors and recycling facilities to collect buyer information, set rules for commercial accounts, restrict purchases of certain materials, and establish penalties. These measures are intended to give law enforcement and prosecutors more effective tools to investigate, track, and prosecute catalytic converter thefts.
“Catalytic converter thefts have become a major problem in communities across the state,” Farry said. “One of my top priorities is keeping our communities safe, and this bill gives law enforcement and prosecutors stronger tools to charge and convict those responsible for these crimes.”
This legislation is part of a larger crime prevention initiative led by Farry. He is working with Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and local law enforcement officials to ensure police and prosecutors have the necessary resources to keep communities safe. Two other proposals from Farry’s crime prevention package have already been enacted into law.
