A new law has been passed in Minnesota that targets catalytic converter thefts, 5 INVESTIGATES reports.
The new law will require all detached catalytic converters to be labeled with a vehicle identification number beginning August 1. Those that are found to be holding a catalytic converter that is not marked with a VIN could potentially face misdemeanor or felony charges.
Minnesota is reportedly listed as one of the top five states for catalytic converter theft. Industry experts have cited a loophole within state law as the cause of this, which doesn’t require scrap yards to keep a log of their transactions.
As part of the new law, scrap yards will now be required to keep records of the purchase and sale of catalytic converters in a new online database, launching in August 2024.
According to previous reporting from 5 INVESTIGATES, lawmakers had planned to implement such a database in 2015 but did not follow through after pressure from the metal recycling industry.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has stated work on creating the new database will begin soon. In the meantime, the BCA will be working with scrap yards over the next year to address any concerns or questions about the change.
