Legislation cracking down on catalytic converter thefts gains final approval

Following a flurry of anecdotes about the prevalence of catalytic converter thefts across Connecticut — with targets ranging from a company that drives medical patients to their appointments to a bus fleet in Trumbull — the state House unanimously passed a bill aimed at cracking down on the crime.

Part of a vehicle's exhaust system, the parts, which cost between $1,000 to $1,500, contain precious metals and are located under cars and trucks making it easy for them to be cut away in seconds. Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows that catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed during the pandemic.

The bill, which the Senate passed last week, generally prohibits motor vehicle recyclers from receiving a catalytic converter unless it's attached to a vehicle. It also requires recyclers to affix or write a stock number onto a converter if they want to sell or transfer it.

Only motor vehicle recyclers and motor vehicle repair shops would be allowed to sell more than one unattached converter to a scrap metal processor, junk dealer or junk yard owner or operator in a single day.

State Rep. Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, co-chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, said the bill “makes it clear that catalytic converters, except in certain, very specified business-to-business transactions, can only be sold one at a time and that generally speaking they must be attached to a vehicle.”

Scrap metal processors, junk dealers and junk yard owners and operators would face new recordkeeping requirements for receiving a converter that is not attached to a vehicle. Several lawmakers said the requirements were similar to the rules for pawn shops.

State Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, a police detective and ranking member of the public safety committee, said the additional documentation would aid law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting “those who are involved in this lucrative criminal enterprise.”

The measure now goes to Gov. Ned Lamont's desk for consideration.

File photo A new bill generally prohibits recyclers from receiving catalytic converters unless attached to the vehicle.