Criminal penalties

(a) Theft of catalytic converters Chapter 31 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by adding at the end the following: 671. Theft of catalytic converters (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Catalytic converter The term catalytic converter means any of the following: (A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water (H 2 O). (B) A diesel oxidation catalyst. (C) A diesel particulate filter. (2) Precious metals The term precious metals has the meaning given the term in section 109–27.5101 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (b) Offense It shall be unlawful to steal or knowingly and unlawfully take, carry away, or conceal a catalytic converter from the motor vehicle of another person, or knowingly purchase such catalytic converter with the intent to distribute, sell, or dispose of the catalytic converter or any precious metal removed therefrom in interstate or foreign commerce. (c) Penalty (1) In general Any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (2) Concurrent sentences Any term of imprisonment imposed on a person under paragraph (1) shall run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed on a person at the same time for an offense arising out of the same conduct.; and (2) in the table of sections for such chapter, by adding at the end of the following: 671. Theft of catalytic converters.. (b) Definitions Section 2311 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after for running on land but not on rails; the following: ‘Precious metals’ has the meaning given the term in section 109–27.5101 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;”.. (c) Trafficking in car parts containing precious metals Section 2321 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Trafficking in motor vehicle parts containing precious metals (1) Definition of catalytic converter In this subsection, the term catalytic converter means any of the following: (A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water (H 2 O). (B) A diesel oxidation catalyst. (C) A diesel particulate filter. (2) Offense It shall be unlawful to buy, receive, possess, or obtain control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, a catalytic converter, knowing that the catalytic converter has been stolen. (3) Penalty (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), any person who violates paragraph (2) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (B) Concurrent sentences Any term of imprisonment imposed on a person under subparagraph (A) shall run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed on the person at the same time for an offense arising out of the same conduct.. (d) Chop shops Section 2322(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) Definition For purposes of this section, the term chop shop means any building, lot, facility, or other structure or premise where one or more persons engage in receiving, concealing, destroying, disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, or storing any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part that has been unlawfully obtained in order to alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate, extract any precious metal therefrom, or remove the identify, including the vehicle identification number or derivative thereof, or other identification marking, of the vehicle or vehicle part and to distribute, sell, or dispose of the vehicle or vehicle part, or precious metal extracted from the vehicle or vehicle part, in interstate or foreign commerce..