Sec. 8-282. - Acquisition of certain automobile parts.

(a)

No person or entity licensed by the City of East Providence may purchase or otherwise accept or acquire a motor vehicle part known as a catalytic converter from another person or entity unless the seller or offeror presents proof of identification in addition to a bill of sale or other legal document demonstrating ownership of said catalytic converter. The licensee shall retain photocopies or digital images of said documentation.

(b)

In addition, every person or entity licensed by the City of East Providence shall record all catalytic converter transactions. The licensee shall, upon request, present any records created pursuant to this section to the chief of police or his or her designee. The records created pursuant to this section shall include the following:

(1)

Date of transaction;

(2)

Name, address, telephone number, and signature of the person from whom the catalytic converter was purchased or received;

(3)

A photocopy or digital image of the person's photo identification;

(4)

License plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle used to transport the catalytic converter to the licensee, whenever applicable;

(5)

A description of the catalytic converter;

(6)

A photograph of the catalytic converter;

(7)

Photocopies or digital images of the bill of sale or other legal document demonstrating ownership by the seller or offeror; and

(8)

Price paid by the licensee for the catalytic converter. Records created pursuant to this section shall be retained for a period of three years from the date of acquisition of the property.

(c)

Every person or entity licensed by the City of East Providence shall keep for a period of ten days the catalytic converter acquired. During said holding period, the catalytic converter shall be kept separate and distinct from other property and shall not be disfigured or treated in any way by which its identity may be destroyed or affected.

(d)

No person or entity licensed by the City of East Providence shall be permitted to acquire catalytic converters in exchange for cash.

(e)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to acquisitions or purchases by licensees of entire motor vehicles.

(Ch. 842, § I, 6-7-22)