The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 167, authored by Sen. Sandlin regarding theft of catalytic converters. The bill provides the theft of a component part of a motor vehicle, including a catalytic converter, is a Level 6 felony. Expands qualifying prior convictions for Level 6 felony theft to include robbery and burglary.
The bill was amended by consent to criminalize the intentional buying of stolen motor parts, including catalytic converters, in the same manner as the theft.
The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries, Recreational Vehicle Indiana Council, and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition. The bill passed 8-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/167