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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown
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Lowery Brown bill aims to stop sale of stolen goods by pawnbrokers
Judiciary Committee hearing Aug. 11 in Philadelphia
HARRISBURG, Aug. 6 – State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown announced that the House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on her bill to protect consumers by tightening regulations governing pawnbrokers 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11 at the School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia.
"The goal of my bill is to give consumers peace of mind when they enter a pawnshop knowing that the merchandise on the shelves has not been stolen," said Lowery Brown, D-Phila. "It also would help law enforcement officials conduct proper investigations of stolen merchandise."
House Bill 2517 would amend the Pawnbrokers License Act to allow law enforcement to put a 90-day written hold order on items in a pawnbroker's possession they believe are stolen. While the order is in place, the pawnbroker must turn over the property to law enforcement officials for use in a criminal investigation.
The order could be extended by a court order or rescinded early by law enforcement.
Lowery Brown said her bill would require the item to be returned to the pawnbroker after criminal proceedings are finished, unless a court orders otherwise. If a court orders that the item should be confiscated, the customer who sold the item to the pawnbroker would be ordered to pay restitution.
Brown said residents of the 190th Legislative District and Philadelphia law enforcement officials are expected to testify.
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