Tuesday, June 12, 2012

St. Rep. Bubp Announces House Passage of Scrap Metal Legislation

Release:
COLUMBUS— State Representative Danny Bubp (R-West Union) today announced the Ohio House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 193, which makes changes to the law governing scrap metal dealers and bulk merchandise dealers.

Specifically, Senate Bill 193 would amend sections of the Ohio Revised Code to ensure that scrap metal dealers and bulk merchandise dealers maintain an accurate log of containers purchased or received for a minimum period of one year after the date the dealer purchased or received the containers. Under this new bill, scrap metal dealers must take a photograph of each article purchased or received by the dealer and of each person who sells or otherwise gives the dealer the article to protect from scrap metal theft. Furthermore, it prohibits a scrap dealer from purchasing or receiving an article from a person who refuses to allow the dealer to take the required photograph.

“According to information on metal theft insurance claims given by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Ohio leads the nation in scrap metal theft,” said Representative Bubp. “Criminals turn to scrap metal theft for fast cash often to buy drugs, vandalizing property in the process. Although scrap metal theft is a difficult crime to combat, Senate Bill 193 will aid law enforcement in combating the problem.”

With this legislation, if the dealer does not follow the proper procedures for purchasing or receiving scrap metal the dealer is guilty of a third degree misdemeanor. If a dealer does not follow the proper procedures, the dealer is guilty of a third degree misdemeanor. Furthermore, if the dealer violates the photograph requirements more than twice or fails to comply with other provisions of the law two or more times, the dealer is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor.

Senate Bill 193, which passed both the Senate and House Chambers, will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.