Kaplan Co-Sponsored Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Legislation Signed Into Law by Governor Hochul

Senator Anna Kaplan and lawmakers join Governor Kathy Hochul as she signs the catalytic converter theft prevention legislation into law. (Photo credit Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) Click here to download hi-res photo

Amid a rise in catalytic converter thefts on Long Island, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law to combat the problem at a special ceremony in Farmingdale

The legislation, sponsored by Senator Diane Savino and co-sponsored by Senator Kaplan, would restrict the resale market for stolen parts and provide free tools to vehicle owners to deter theft and help law enforcement catch thieves

CARLE PLACE, NY (OCTOBER 17, 2022) - Today, amid a rise in catalytic converter thefts on Long Island and across the nation, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law to combat the problem at a special ceremony in Farmingdale. The bill, S.9428, which is sponsored by Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) and co-sponsored by Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-Port Washington), was passed by the State Senate and Assembly earlier this year, and would severely curtail the resale market for stolen parts and provide free tools to vehicle owners to deter theft and help law enforcement catch thieves. Senator Kaplan recently issued a statement urging the Governor to sign the bill into law.

Senator Anna M. Kaplan said "We need to give our law enforcement the tools and resources they need, and while I've been proud to deliver more funding to our police to help them keep our community safe, we can still do more to address the theft of catalytic converters in our community. I was proud to help pass legislation that will crack down on the black market for stolen parts and give our police more tools to catch the criminals responsible for these costly crimes, and I'm so grateful that Governor Hochul has taken action and signed it into law today. I want to thank the the Governor and the bill sponsor, Senator Diane Savino, for their leadership on this important issue."

"Public safety is my top priority, and we're taking an aggressive, targeted approach to deter criminals from stealing catalytic converters," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed across our state and nation, and these comprehensive actions double down on our efforts to keep New Yorkers and their property safe, protecting our communities and cracking down on crime."

The bill, S.9428/A.1940:

• Imposes restrictions on the purchase, sale and possession of catalytic converters by dismantlers, scrap processors, and others. The bill will deter thieves from stealing catalytic converters in the first place by requiring vehicle dismantlers and scrap processors to maintain a paper trail and information on the seller of a catalytic converter that law enforcement may use in their investigations, and will ensure consequences for those caught stealing catalytic converters.
• Includes fines and penalties for those failing to maintain proper documentation in compliance with the law.
• Requires vehicle dealers to stock catalytic converter etching kits to be offered with new vehicles at no cost so that people can place serial numbers on their catalytic converters to deter theft and aid law enforcement investigations

The bill will take effect 180 days after being signed into law.