ISRI releases compliance guide for state metals theft statutes

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, D.C., has released its first "State Metals Theft Statutes" publication, an online compilation of all state laws related to metals theft designed to help scrap recyclers with their compliance obligations under state law.

ISRI says that 49 states (Alaska being the exception) have passed laws intended to combat metals thefts, each with varying requirements that affect recyclers. The association says the guide serves as a tool to help recyclers, law enforcement and other stakeholders better understand the laws that apply in each individual state as well as an important resource to what other states are doing.

“In recent years there has been a wave of new legislation regarding metal theft across the country, often with multiple bills passed within any given state, making it extremely challenging for recyclers to stay on top of current requirements,” says Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “ISRI’s 'State Metals Theft Statutes' publication serves as a guide to help recyclers understand their most up-to-date compliance requirements as the recycling industry continues its efforts to be part of the solution to the problem of metals theft.”

The information will be updated throughout the year as new state laws are passed or amended, ISRI says. In 2013 alone, 28 states passed amendments to existing laws within their jurisdictions. In the coming months, ISRI plans to supplement this information with an interactive, searchable database of statutory requirements related to metals theft, which will be available on its website at www.isri.org and available to all stakeholders.