Posted: | December 28, 2018 03:56 PM |
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From: | Representative Ryan A. Bizzarro |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Preventing the Quick Resale of Stolen Electronic Devices |
I am introducing the attached legislation which is designed to prevent the theft and quick resale of electronic devices for cash, especially in light of the opioid drug epidemic facing many thousands of Pennsylvanians today. The opioid crisis has impacted our communities in many ways. One of the most significant is the victimization of people by those intent on feeding their addiction. Every day homes are being burglarized for easily resellable electronics that can be turned around quickly for cash at second hand stores. As we consider legislation to combat this crisis, we cannot ignore those who have been victimized and must do more to make them whole. When a similar crisis fueled the theft of precious metals, the legislature worked swiftly to create rules that those who deal in precious metals preserve the name and address of the seller and submit that information with a description of the piece to the district attorney’s office and hold the piece for three business days to enable law enforcement to track stolen jewelry. By closing off an easy disposal method, theft of precious metals decreased. This legislation sets up a similar system for electronics. The legislation exempts nonprofit donation centers but requires any second hand store which purchases electronics to retain the name and address of the seller and turn that information and the serial numbers of the electronics over to the district attorney to enable them to track and reunite stolen electronics with their rightful owners. Please join me in taking action to protect Pennsylvanians from electronic theft. |
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View Attachment |
Introduced as HB403