Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 3.djvu/396

 98 STAT. 2768

PUBLIC LAW 98-547—OCT. 25, 1984

which does not result in the compromising of motor vehicle theft prevention devices and systems in the process of demonstrating compliance with such standard; (2) a determination by the Secretary of whether the purposes of theft prevention would be better served by such a standard or whether owners of motor vehicles used primarily in areas having high crime rates should be encouraged to equip their vehicles with security devices or systems; and (3) a description of the costs and effectiveness of such devices and systems. (c) The report required in subsection (a) also may include an examination and review of any matters relating to motor vehicle theft prevention which the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate to examine and review. The Secretary shall prepare such report after consulting with the Attorney General of the United States. Such report shall include recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate. TITLE II—ANTIFENCING MEASURES MOTOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS; FORFEITURES

SEC. 20 L (a) Chapter 25 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: 18 USC 511.

15 USC 1381 ?iot6: note 15 USC 1901.

"§ 51L Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers "(a) Whoever knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. "flaXD Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (unless such person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen). "(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection are— "(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part; "(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair; and "(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law. "(c) As used in this section, the term— "(1) 'identification number' means a number or S5mibol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or the Motor Vehicle Information and (Dost Savings Act; "^^^ 'motor vehicle' has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Ck>st Savings Act; "(3) 'motor vehicle demolisher' means a person, including any motor vehicle dismantler or motor vehicle recycler, who is engaged in the business of reducing motor vehicles or motor

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