Legislation that would expand current regulations on transactions that deal with the sale of catalytic converters to scrap metal yards passed the Pennsylvania House on Wednesday.

The bill, authored by state Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Philadelphia, would add the following required steps before the sale can be completed:

• Any person who is trying to sell a catalytic converter to a scrap yard must provide the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number for the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed.

• Buyers of catalytic converters must photograph both the catalytic converter and the individual selling it at the time of sale.

• Buyers must withhold payment for 48 hours after the purchase of a catalytic converter is completed.

The bill passed in the House 119-84, with local state Reps. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, Jamie Barton, R-Schuylkill, and Jack Rader, R-Monroe, voting no.

Isaacson said, “Car owners should not have to foot the bill for someone stealing from them, and for many households, the cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter is burdensome. For many Pennsylvanians, their car is a part of their livelihood. This legislation provides several important deterrents to ensure that consumers in the commonwealth have the highest level of protection from theft.”