Girgenti for Senate

Girgenti Metal Theft Bill Signed Into Law

January 28, 2009

TRENTON – A measure sponsored Senate Assistant Majority Leader John A. Girgenti, which would require operators of scrap metal businesses to maintain certain records and report suspicious deliveries or sales to law enforcement authorities, was signed into law by Governor Corzine on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

“Metal theft is at an all time high in New Jersey, and because there is no current law that prohibits individuals from redeeming scrap metal without identification, or requires scrap metal dealers to record, authenticate, or validate the origin of the scrap metal they receive, it is a plausible location for criminals to bring stolen metal materials, said Senator Girgenti, D-Passaic and Bergen. “However, since scrap metal yards are indeed the most common place for individuals to trade metals for cash, we can take measures to monitor transactions, and ultimately deter and punish theft.” The bill, S-1781, will make it mandatory for scrap metal business to validate the identity of any individual endeavoring to redeem scrap metal for cash. In addition, all scrap metal establishments would have to maintain records of all scrap metal received or purchased for no less than five years. Furthermore, State, county and municipal police departments would be authorized to notify scrap metal businesses of recent thefts to help these departments identify the stolen materials. The record maintenance provisions will apply to scrap metal purchases of more than 100 pounds or $50, whichever is less. “Regardless of the circumstance, theft of personal, private, or public property is reprehensible. With this piece of legislation, it is my hope that the thieves committing these nefarious acts will be trading in their own metal, or face punishment for trading-in someone else’s.”