Bill > H3806

This bill establishes new regulations for secondary metals dealers, defining "engaging in a business" as a regular occupation rather than an occasional transaction, and specifying that "metal" or "metal article" includes most metal items but excludes aluminum beverage containers with a refund value. It mandates that anyone in the business of buying, selling, or dealing in scrap metal must register with their local police chief, providing basic business information, and that these registrations expire annually on May 1st. When purchasing metals, dealers must verify the seller's identification, obtain a federal employer identification number for businesses, and maintain a detailed daily transaction log including seller information, transaction details, and vehicle information, which must be kept for one year and be available for police inspection. The bill also prohibits dealers from accepting certain items, such as guardrails, manhole covers, historical markers, and specific types of copper wire, and requires a list of these prohibited metals to be posted. Furthermore, it outlines procedures for law enforcement to place holds on suspected stolen scrap materials, requiring dealers to preserve such materials and notify law enforcement within 48 hours of discovery, with holding periods potentially extended by a magistrate. Penalties for violations include fines for dealing without registration, knowingly buying prohibited metals, and failing to comply with record-keeping requirements, with penalties increasing for subsequent offenses. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to remove references to "old metals" and establishes a 2-year pilot program called the Massachusetts Abandoned Property Registry (MAP) to track vacant or foreclosing properties, accessible to law enforcement, with civil assessments for non-compliance.