{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-136.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-136.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-136.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-136.3.html"}],"law_id":86130,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86130,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.3","catch_line":"Purchases of nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles","history":"2007, c. 917; 2013, c. 414; 2022, cc. 664, 665.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as provided in \u00a7 59.1-136.4, scrap metal purchasers may purchase nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles from any person who is not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller only in accordance with the following requirements and procedures:1\n\nAt the time of sale, the seller of any nonferrous scrap, metal article, or proprietary article shall provide a driver’s license or other government-issued current photographic identification including the seller’s full name, current address, date of birth, and social security or other recognized identification number; and2\n\nThe scrap metal purchaser shall record the seller’s identification information, as well as the time and date of the transaction, the license number of the seller’s vehicle, and a description of the items received from the seller, in a permanent ledger maintained at the scrap metal purchaser’s place of business. The ledger shall be made available upon request to any law-enforcement official, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13, in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser’s normal business location during regular business hours. Records required by this subdivision shall be maintained by the scrap metal dealer at its normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least five years.B\n\nUpon compliance with the other requirements of this section and \u00a7 59.1-136.4, a scrap metal purchaser may purchase proprietary articles from a person who is not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller if the scrap metal purchaser complies with one of the following:1\n\nThe scrap metal purchaser receives from the person seeking to sell the proprietary articles documentation, such as a bill of sale, receipt, letter of authorization, or similar evidence, establishing that the person lawfully possesses the proprietary articles to be sold; or2\n\nThe scrap metal purchaser shall document a diligent inquiry into whether the person selling or delivering the same has a legal right to do so, and, after purchasing a proprietary article from a person without obtaining the documentation described in subdivision 1, shall submit a report to the local sheriff’s department or the chief of police of the locality, by the close of the following business day, describing the proprietary article and including a copy of the seller’s identifying information, and hold the proprietary article for not less than 15 days following purchase.C\n\nThe scrap metal purchaser shall take a photographic or video image of all proprietary articles purchased from anyone other than an authorized scrap seller. Such image shall be of sufficient quality so as to reasonably identify the subject of the image and shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser no less than 30 days from the date the image is taken. Any image taken and maintained in accordance with this subdivision shall be made available upon the request of any law-enforcement officer conducting official law-enforcement business.D\n\nThe scrap metal purchaser may purchase nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles directly from an authorized scrap seller and from the authorized agent or employee of an authorized scrap seller.E\n\nFor purchases of a catalytic converter or the parts thereof, a scrap metal purchaser shall adhere to the compliance provisions of subdivisions B 1 and 2. Copies of the documentation required under subdivisions B 1 and 2 shall (i) establish that the person from whom the scrap metal purchaser purchased the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had the lawful possession of such catalytic converter or the parts thereof at the time of sale or delivery and (ii) detail the scrap metal purchaser’s diligent inquiry into whether such person selling or delivering the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had a legal right to do so. Such documentation shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser at his normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least two years after the purchase. Such copies shall be made available upon request to any law-enforcement officer, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13 in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser’s normal business location during normal business hours.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":308464,"text":"Except as provided in \u00a7 59.1-136.4, scrap metal purchasers may purchase nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles from any person who is not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller only in accordance with the following requirements and procedures:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":308465,"text":"At the time of sale, the seller of any nonferrous scrap, metal article, or proprietary article shall provide a driver’s license or other government-issued current photographic identification including the seller’s full name, current address, date of birth, and social security or other recognized identification number; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":308466,"text":"The scrap metal purchaser shall record the seller’s identification information, as well as the time and date of the transaction, the license number of the seller’s vehicle, and a description of the items received from the seller, in a permanent ledger maintained at the scrap metal purchaser’s place of business. The ledger shall be made available upon request to any law-enforcement official, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13, in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser’s normal business location during regular business hours. Records required by this subdivision shall be maintained by the scrap metal dealer at its normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least five years.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":308467,"text":"Upon compliance with the other requirements of this section and \u00a7 59.1-136.4, a scrap metal purchaser may purchase proprietary articles from a person who is not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller if the scrap metal purchaser complies with one of the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B1"},"4":{"id":308468,"text":"The scrap metal purchaser receives from the person seeking to sell the proprietary articles documentation, such as a bill of sale, receipt, letter of authorization, or similar evidence, establishing that the person lawfully possesses the proprietary articles to be sold; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"5":{"id":308469,"text":"The scrap metal purchaser shall document a diligent inquiry into whether the person selling or delivering the same has a legal right to do so, and, after purchasing a proprietary article from a person without obtaining the documentation described in subdivision 1, shall submit a report to the local sheriff’s department or the chief of police of the locality, by the close of the following business day, describing the proprietary article and including a copy of the seller’s identifying information, and hold the proprietary article for not less than 15 days following purchase.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":308470,"text":"The scrap metal purchaser shall take a photographic or video image of all proprietary articles purchased from anyone other than an authorized scrap seller. Such image shall be of sufficient quality so as to reasonably identify the subject of the image and shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser no less than 30 days from the date the image is taken. Any image taken and maintained in accordance with this subdivision shall be made available upon the request of any law-enforcement officer conducting official law-enforcement business.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":308471,"text":"The scrap metal purchaser may purchase nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles directly from an authorized scrap seller and from the authorized agent or employee of an authorized scrap seller.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":308472,"text":"For purchases of a catalytic converter or the parts thereof, a scrap metal purchaser shall adhere to the compliance provisions of subdivisions B 1 and 2. Copies of the documentation required under subdivisions B 1 and 2 shall (i) establish that the person from whom the scrap metal purchaser purchased the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had the lawful possession of such catalytic converter or the parts thereof at the time of sale or delivery and (ii) detail the scrap metal purchaser’s diligent inquiry into whether such person selling or delivering the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had a legal right to do so. Such documentation shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser at his normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least two years after the purchase. Such copies shall be made available upon request to any law-enforcement officer, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13 in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser’s normal business location during normal business hours.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15664,"edition_id":1,"name":"Scrap Metal Purchasers","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13702,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:37","permalink":{"id":263219,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15664,"identifier":"4","token":"59.1\/9\/4","url":"\/59.1\/9\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13702,"edition_id":1,"name":"Secondhand Articles","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:36","permalink":{"id":263123,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13702,"identifier":"9","token":"59.1\/9","url":"\/59.1\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77463,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-136.1\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.1","metadata":false},{"id":78595,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.2","catch_line":"Purchases of ferrous scrap","url":"\/59.1-136.2\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.2","metadata":false},{"id":86130,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.3","catch_line":"Purchases of nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles","url":"\/59.1-136.3\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.3","metadata":false},{"id":68793,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.4","catch_line":"Purchases of materials from minors","url":"\/59.1-136.4\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.4","metadata":false},{"id":69583,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.5","catch_line":"Reports of purchases by scrap metal purchasers","url":"\/59.1-136.5\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.5","metadata":false},{"id":75317,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.6","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/59.1-136.6\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.6","metadata":false},{"id":59934,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.7","catch_line":"Exemption","url":"\/59.1-136.7\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.7","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78595,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.2","catch_line":"Purchases of ferrous scrap","url":"\/59.1-136.2\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68793,"structure_id":15664,"section_number":"59.1-136.4","catch_line":"Purchases of materials from minors","url":"\/59.1-136.4\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-136.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 917<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2013, chapter 414<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 664<\/a> and 665<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86932,"section_number":"18.2-146","catch_line":"Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-146\/"},{"id":63489,"section_number":"18.2-146.1","catch_line":"Unlawful purchase or sale of a catalytic converter from a motor vehicle exhaust system that has been detached from a motor vehicle; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-146.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72961,"section_number":"19.2-13","catch_line":"Special conservators of the peace; authority; jurisdiction; registration; liability of employers; penalty; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-13\/"},{"id":68793,"section_number":"59.1-136.4","catch_line":"Purchases of materials from minors","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-136.4\/"}],"permalink":{"id":263229,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86130,"identifier":"59.1-136.3","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.3","url":"\/59.1-136.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-136.3\/","token":"59.1\/9\/4\/59.1-136.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Purchases of nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-136.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as provided in \u00a7 59.1-136.4<\/a>, scrap metal purchasers<\/span> may purchase nonferrous scrap<\/span>, metal articles<\/span>, and proprietary articles<\/span> from any person who is not an authorized scrap seller<\/span> or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller<\/span> only in accordance with the following requirements and procedures: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> At the time of sale, the seller of any nonferrous scrap<\/span>, metal article<\/span>, or proprietary article<\/span> shall provide a driver’s license or other government-issued current photographic identification including the seller’s full name, current address, date of birth, and social security or other recognized identification number; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The scrap metal purchaser<\/span> shall record the seller’s identification information, as well as the time and date of the transaction, the license number of the seller’s vehicle, and a description of the items received from the seller, in a permanent ledger maintained at the scrap metal purchaser<\/span>’s place of business. The ledger shall be made available upon request to any law<\/span>-enforcement official, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13<\/a>, in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser<\/span>’s normal business location during regular business hours. Records required by this subdivision shall be maintained by the scrap metal dealer at its normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least five years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon compliance with the other requirements of this section and \u00a7 59.1-136.4<\/a>, a scrap metal purchaser<\/span> may purchase proprietary articles<\/span> from a person who is not an authorized scrap seller<\/span> or the authorized agent and employee of an authorized scrap seller<\/span> if the scrap metal purchaser<\/span> complies with one of the following: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The scrap metal purchaser<\/span> receives from the person seeking to sell the proprietary articles<\/span> documentation, such as a bill of sale, receipt, letter of authorization, or similar evidence<\/span>, establishing that the person lawfully possesses the proprietary articles<\/span> to be sold; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The scrap metal purchaser<\/span> shall document a diligent inquiry into whether the person selling or delivering the same has a legal right to do so, and, after purchasing a proprietary article<\/span> from a person without obtaining the documentation described in subdivision 1, shall submit a report to the local sheriff’s department or the chief of police of the locality, by the close of the following business day, describing the proprietary article<\/span> and including a copy of the seller’s identifying information, and hold the proprietary article<\/span> for not less than 15 days following purchase. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The scrap metal purchaser<\/span> shall take a photographic or video image of all proprietary articles<\/span> purchased from anyone other than an authorized scrap seller<\/span>. Such image shall be of sufficient quality so as to reasonably identify the subject of the image and shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser<\/span> no less than 30 days from the date the image is taken. Any image taken and maintained in accordance with this subdivision shall be made available upon the request of any law<\/span>-enforcement officer conducting official law<\/span>-enforcement business. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The scrap metal purchaser<\/span> may purchase nonferrous scrap<\/span>, metal articles<\/span>, and proprietary articles<\/span> directly from an authorized scrap seller<\/span> and from the authorized agent or employee of an authorized scrap seller<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> For purchases of a catalytic converter or the parts thereof, a scrap metal purchaser<\/span> shall adhere to the compliance provisions of subdivisions B 1 and 2. Copies of the documentation required under subdivisions B 1 and 2 shall (i) establish that the person from whom the scrap metal purchaser<\/span> purchased the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had the lawful possession<\/span> of such catalytic converter or the parts thereof at the time of sale or delivery and (ii) detail the scrap metal purchaser<\/span>’s diligent inquiry into whether such person selling or delivering the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had a legal right to do so. Such documentation shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser<\/span> at his normal place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location for at least two years after the purchase. Such copies shall be made available upon request to any law<\/span>-enforcement officer, conservator of the peace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13<\/a> in the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal purchaser<\/span>’s normal business location during normal business hours. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPURCHASES OF NONFERROUS SCRAP, METAL ARTICLES, AND PROPRIETARY ARTICLES (\u00a7\n59.1-136.3)\n\nA. Except as provided in \u00a7 59.1-136.4, scrap metal purchasers may purchase\nnonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles from any person who\nis not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and employee of an\nauthorized scrap seller only in accordance with the following requirements and\nprocedures:\n\n 1. At the time of sale, the seller of any nonferrous scrap, metal article, or\n proprietary article shall provide a driver’s license or other\n government-issued current photographic identification including the\n seller’s full name, current address, date of birth, and social security\n or other recognized identification number; and\n\n 2. The scrap metal purchaser shall record the seller’s identification\n information, as well as the time and date of the transaction, the license\n number of the seller’s vehicle, and a description of the items received\n from the seller, in a permanent ledger maintained at the scrap metal\n purchaser’s place of business. The ledger shall be made available upon\n request to any law-enforcement official, conservator of the peace, or special\n conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13, in the\n performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal\n purchaser’s normal business location during regular business hours.\n Records required by this subdivision shall be maintained by the scrap metal\n dealer at its normal place of business or at another readily accessible and\n secure location for at least five years.\n\nB. Upon compliance with the other requirements of this section and \u00a7\n59.1-136.4, a scrap metal purchaser may purchase proprietary articles from a\nperson who is not an authorized scrap seller or the authorized agent and\nemployee of an authorized scrap seller if the scrap metal purchaser complies\nwith one of the following:\n\n 1. The scrap metal purchaser receives from the person seeking to sell the\n proprietary articles documentation, such as a bill of sale, receipt, letter of\n authorization, or similar evidence, establishing that the person lawfully\n possesses the proprietary articles to be sold; or\n\n 2. The scrap metal purchaser shall document a diligent inquiry into whether\n the person selling or delivering the same has a legal right to do so, and,\n after purchasing a proprietary article from a person without obtaining the\n documentation described in subdivision 1, shall submit a report to the local\n sheriff’s department or the chief of police of the locality, by the\n close of the following business day, describing the proprietary article and\n including a copy of the seller’s identifying information, and hold the\n proprietary article for not less than 15 days following purchase.\n\nC. The scrap metal purchaser shall take a photographic or video image of all\nproprietary articles purchased from anyone other than an authorized scrap\nseller. Such image shall be of sufficient quality so as to reasonably identify\nthe subject of the image and shall be maintained by the scrap metal purchaser no\nless than 30 days from the date the image is taken. Any image taken and\nmaintained in accordance with this subdivision shall be made available upon the\nrequest of any law-enforcement officer conducting official law-enforcement\nbusiness.\n\nD. The scrap metal purchaser may purchase nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and\nproprietary articles directly from an authorized scrap seller and from the\nauthorized agent or employee of an authorized scrap seller.\n\nE. For purchases of a catalytic converter or the parts thereof, a scrap metal\npurchaser shall adhere to the compliance provisions of subdivisions B 1 and 2.\nCopies of the documentation required under subdivisions B 1 and 2 shall (i)\nestablish that the person from whom the scrap metal purchaser purchased the\ncatalytic converter or the parts thereof had the lawful possession of such\ncatalytic converter or the parts thereof at the time of sale or delivery and\n(ii) detail the scrap metal purchaser’s diligent inquiry into whether such\nperson selling or delivering the catalytic converter or the parts thereof had a\nlegal right to do so. Such documentation shall be maintained by the scrap metal\npurchaser at his normal place of business or at another readily accessible and\nsecure location for at least two years after the purchase. Such copies shall be\nmade available upon request to any law-enforcement officer, conservator of the\npeace, or special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13\nin the performance of his duties who presents his credentials at the scrap metal\npurchaser’s normal business location during normal business hours.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, c. 917; 2013, c. 414; 2022, cc. 664, 665.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}