RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 127 (SB 70) 2022 Regular Session Talbot
New law creates the crime of theft of a catalytic converter or engine control module, which
is misappropriation or taking of a catalytic converter or engine control module which belongs
to another, either without the consent of the owner to the misappropriation or taking, or by
means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations. New law further provides that an
intent to deprive the owner permanently of the catalytic converter or engine control module
is essential.
New law provides for the following penalties:
(1)When the misappropriation or taking and any related damage amounts to a value of
$25,000 or more, the offender is to be imprisoned, at hard labor, for not less than 10
years nor more than 20 years, or fined not more than $50,000, or both.
(2)When the misappropriation or taking and any related damage amounts to a value of
$5,000 or more, but less than $25,000, the offender is to be imprisoned, with or
without hard labor, for not less than five years nor more than 10 years, or fined not
more than $10,000, or both.
(3)When the misappropriation or taking and any related damage amounts to a value of
$1,000 or more, but less than $5,000, the offender is to be imprisoned, with or
without hard labor, for not less than two years nor more than five years, or fined not
more than $3,000, or both.
(4)When the misappropriation or taking and any related damage amounts to a value of
less than $1,000, the offender is to be imprisoned for not less than 90 days nor more
than six months, or fined not more than $1,000, or both.
New law provides that if the offender has been convicted two or more times of theft of
catalytic converter or engine control module, upon any subsequent conviction, he is to be
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for an additional year to be served consecutively, or
may be fined not more than an additional $2,000, or both. New law further provides that
when there has been a taking by a number of distinct acts, the amount of the taking is
determined by the aggregate value of the amount of each taking.
New law further provides that second hand dealers buying or selling an unattached catalytic
converter or engine control module as a single item and not part of a scrapped motor vehicle
must register with the chief of police and sheriff of each city and parish in which his business
is conducted.
Effective August 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 14:67.12 and R.S. 37:1864(A)(3))