§1896. Failure to comply; criminal penalty

            A. Anyone acting as an unlicensed catalytic converter purchaser or seller who obtains, possesses, acquires, or transports used or detached catalytic converters or who provides false, fraudulent, altered, or counterfeit information or documentation in violation of the provisions of this Part shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars and be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days per violation as provided for in Subsection D of this Section.

            B. For a second offense, the violator shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars and be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years per violation as provided for in Subsection D of this Section.

            C. For a third or subsequent offense, the violator shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years per violation as provided for in Subsection D of this Section.

            D.(1) Each unlawfully obtained, possessed, or transported used or detached catalytic converter is a separate violation that subjects the individual or entity to a separate charge.

            (2) Each fraudulent, altered, or counterfeit information or documentation is a separate violation that subjects the individual or entity to a separate charge.

            (3) Upon conviction, the court may order the individual or entity to pay restitution for the value of the repair and replacement of the catalytic converter or be held liable as otherwise provided by law.

            Acts 2022, No. 584, §1; Acts 2023, No. 373, §1.