SB 470 Summary

• Expands the "Nonferrous Metal Regulatory Act" to regulate ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, and scrap metals, with new provisions for public registry and offender registration.

• Requires dealers purchasing scrap metal to collect $1.00 regulatory fees per transaction (split 50/50 between state scrap metal offenders registration fund and local law enforcement) and prohibits cash payments over $200 for transactions, with complete prohibition on cash for copper transactions.

• Establishes a scrap metal offenders registry maintained by the Department of State Police containing names, addresses, photos, fingerprints, and conviction details of individuals convicted of scrap metal theft crimes; requires offenders to register with local law enforcement within 30 days of sentencing for a $50 fee.

• Requires dealers to tag and hold suspicious items (altered serial numbers, public fixtures, government/business property, copper wiring) for 7 calendar days and maintain detailed transaction records including seller identification, vehicle license plate, and thumbprints.

• Creates criminal penalties including felonies (up to 5 years imprisonment/up to $5,000-$10,000 fines for purchasing stolen metal) and misdemeanors, plus allows private civil actions for treble damages for stolen property value.