Howard Works to Curb the Theft of Catalytic Converters

HARTFORD- To combat the rise of catalytic converter theft in the state, State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) supported a bill that looks to aid law enforcement in tracking or identifying any potential criminal activity.

“It is hoped that the bill will deter people from stealing catalytic converters as it will become very hard to impossible to sell them for profit, ultimately reducing or eliminating this issue,” said Rep. Howard, the ranking member of the Public Safety and Security committee.

In recent years, thefts of catalytic converters have been on the rise due to the precious metals such as palladium, platinum, or rhodium contained in the converters.

Under the legislation Senate Bill 256, the catalytic converter must be on the car before a recycler can buy it. The bill also says catalytic converters need to have a paper trail, meaning the recycler would need to write a stock number on the piece and have a written record of the transaction.

Also, the bill includes new rules for junk dealers and junk yards as well. Junk dealers would be required to keep a record of any catalytic converter that is not attached to a car.

The law would require junk dealers keep a record of the point of sale. They would need to keep information like how much the transaction cost, as well as the name, address, driver’s license, and a description of the person selling the catalytic converter. Sellers will only be permitted to sell one catalytic converter per day to a scrap metal dealer.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the precious metals in catalytic converters can garner hundreds of dollars per component when turned in at a recycling center or scrapyard.