Senate Bill 1820
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Florida Senate - 1999 SB 1820
By Senator Campbell
33-321B-99
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to pawnbroking, secondhand
3 dealers, and stolen property; amending s.
4 539.001, F.S.; defining terms; modifying
5 findings required of the Division of Consumer
6 Services of the Department of Agriculture and
7 Consumer Services for orders imposing
8 penalties; requiring approval of pawnbroker
9 transaction forms; revising content of such
10 forms; revising recordkeeping requirements for
11 pawnbrokers to provide that the sheriff or the
12 director of the department of public safety is
13 designated as the central repository for copies
14 of all pawnbroker transaction forms collected
15 by law enforcement officials; providing for
16 submission of pawnbroker transaction forms to
17 the sheriff or public safety director upon
18 request; requiring pawnbrokers to computerize
19 their records by a specified date; providing
20 for a statewide system for collecting and
21 accessing pawnshop ticket and second-hand
22 dealer information; designating the sheriffs as
23 administrators of the system; providing
24 authorized law enforcement officials access to
25 the database; designating the sheriffs' offices
26 as central repositories responsible for the
27 transfer of information to the statewide
28 database; providing that the sheriffs, in
29 consultation with the Florida Police Chiefs and
30 the Department of Law Enforcement, must
31 establish standards for transmitting
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1 information into the statewide system;
2 prescribing certain prohibited acts; modifying
3 hold order procedures; providing a penalty;
4 amending s. 539.003, F.S.; deleting an
5 exception to confidentiality of records of
6 pawnbroker transactions; amending s. 538.04,
7 F.S.; providing for electronic transfer of
8 transactions of secondhand goods; authorizing
9 law enforcement agencies to provide a
10 secondhand dealer with a computer and necessary
11 equipment for the electronic transfer of
12 transactions of secondhand goods; providing
13 procedures with respect to the electronic
14 transfer of transactions of secondhand goods;
15 providing an effective date.
16
17 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
19 Section 1. Subsections (2), (8), (9), (16), paragraph
20 (a) of subsection (7), paragraph (b) of subsection (11),
21 paragraphs (b), (l), and (m) of subsection (12), and paragraph
22 (b) of subsection (17) of section 539.001, Florida Statutes,
23 are amended, and paragraph (n) is added to subsection (12) of
24 that section, to read:
25 539.001 The Florida Pawnbroking Act.--
26 (2) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
27 (a) "Agency" means the Division of Consumer Services
28 of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
29 (b) "Amount financed" is used interchangeably to mean
30 "amount of money advanced" or "principal amount."
31
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1 (c)(b) "Appropriate law enforcement official" means
2 the sheriff of the county in which a pawnshop is located or,
3 in case of a pawnshop located within a municipality, the
4 police chief of the municipality in which the pawnshop is
5 located; however, any sheriff or police chief may designate as
6 the appropriate law enforcement official for the county or
7 municipality, as applicable, any law enforcement officer
8 working within the county or municipality headed by that
9 sheriff or police chief. Nothing in this subsection limits the
10 power and responsibilities of the sheriff.
11 (d)(c) "Claimant" means a person who claims that his
12 or her property was misappropriated.
13 (e)(d) "Conveying customer" means a person who
14 delivers property into the custody of a pawnbroker, either by
15 pawn, sale, consignment, or trade.
16 (f)(e) "Identification" means a government-issued
17 photographic identification or an electronic image taken from
18 a government-issued photographic identification.
19 (g)(f) "Misappropriated" means stolen, embezzled,
20 converted, or otherwise wrongfully appropriated against the
21 will of the rightful owner.
22 (h)(g) "Net worth" means total assets less total
23 liabilities.
24 (i)(h) "Pawn" means any advancement of funds on the
25 security of pledged goods on condition that the pledged goods
26 are left in the possession of the pawnbroker for the duration
27 of the pawn and may be redeemed by the pledgor on the terms
28 and conditions contained in this section.
29 (j)(i) "Pawnbroker" means any person who is engaged in
30 the business of making pawns; who makes a public display
31 containing the term "pawn," "pawnbroker," or "pawnshop" or any
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1 derivative thereof; or who publicly displays a sign or symbol
2 historically identified with pawns. A pawnbroker may also
3 engage in the business of purchasing goods which includes
4 consignment and trade.
5 (k)(j) "Pawnbroker transaction form" means the
6 instrument on which a pawnbroker records pawns and purchases
7 as provided in subsection (8).
8 (l)(k) "Pawn service charge" means a charge for
9 investigating the title, storage, and insuring of the
10 security; closing the transaction; making daily reports to
11 appropriate law enforcement officials; expenses and losses;
12 and all other services.
13 (m)(l) "Pawnshop" means the location at which a
14 pawnbroker conducts business.
15 (n)(m) "Permitted vendor" means a vendor who furnishes
16 a pawnbroker with an invoice specifying the vendor's name and
17 address, the date of the sale, a description of the items
18 sold, and the sales price, and who has an established place of
19 business, or, in the case of a secondhand dealer as defined in
20 s. 538.03, has represented in writing that such dealer has
21 complied with all applicable recordkeeping, reporting, and
22 retention requirements pertaining to goods sold or otherwise
23 delivered to a pawnbroker.
24 (o)(n) "Person" means an individual, partnership,
25 corporation, joint venture, trust, association, or other legal
26 entity.
27 (p)(o) "Pledged goods" means tangible personal
28 property that is deposited with, or otherwise delivered into
29 the possession of a pawnbroker in connection with a pawn.
30 "Pledged goods" does not include titles or any other form of
31 written security in tangible property in lieu of actual
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1 physical possession, including, but not limited to, choses in
2 action, securities, printed evidence of indebtedness, or
3 certificates of title and other instruments evidencing title
4 to separate items of property, including motor vehicles. For
5 purposes of federal and state bankruptcy laws, a pledgor's
6 interest in his or her pledged goods during the pendency of a
7 pawn is a right of redemption only.
8 (q)(p) "Pledgor" means an individual who delivers
9 pledged goods into the possession of a pawnbroker in
10 connection with a pawn.
11 (r)(q) "Purchase" means the transfer and delivery of
12 goods, by a person other than a permitted vendor, to a
13 pawnbroker by acquisition for value, consignment, or trade for
14 other goods.
15 (s)(r) "Amount financed" is used interchangeably to
16 mean the same as "amount of money advanced" or "principal
17 amount".
18 (t)(s) "Default date" means that date upon which the
19 pledgor's right of redemption expires and absolute right,
20 title, and interest in and to the pledged goods shall vest in
21 and shall be deemed conveyed to the pawnbroker by operation of
22 law.
23 (u)(t) "Beneficial owner" means a person who does not
24 have title to property but has rights in the property which
25 are the normal incident of owning the property.
26 (v)(u) "Operator" means a person who has charge of a
27 corporation or company and has control of its business, or of
28 its branch establishments, divisions, or departments, and who
29 is vested with a certain amount of discretion and independent
30 judgment.
31 (7) ORDERS IMPOSING PENALTIES.--
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1 (a) The agency may enter an order imposing one or more
2 of the penalties set forth in paragraph (b) if the agency
3 finds that a pawnbroker:
4 1. Violated or is operating in violation of any of the
5 provisions of this section or of the rules adopted or orders
6 issued thereunder;
7 2. Made a material false statement in any application,
8 document, or record required to be submitted or retained under
9 this section;
10 3. Refused or failed, or any of its principal officers
11 has refused or failed, after notice, to produce any document
12 or records or disclose any information required to be produced
13 or disclosed under this section or the rules of the agency;
14 4. Made a material false statement in response to any
15 request or investigation by the agency, the Department of
16 Legal Affairs, or the state attorney; or
17 5. Has intentionally defrauded the public through
18 dishonest or deceptive means.
19 (8) PAWNBROKER TRANSACTION FORM.--
20 (a) At the time the pawnbroker enters into any pawn or
21 purchase transaction, the pawnbroker shall complete a
22 pawnbroker transaction form for such transaction, including an
23 indication of whether the transaction is a pawn or a purchase,
24 and the pledgor or seller shall sign such completed form. The
25 agency must approve the design and format of the pawnbroker
26 transaction form, which must be 8 1/2 inches x 11 inches in
27 size and elicit the information required under this section.
28 In completing the pawnbroker transaction form, the pawnbroker
29 shall record the following information, which must be typed or
30 printed in black ink written indelibly and legibly in English.
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1 (b) The front of the pawnbroker transaction form must
2 include:
3 1. The name and address of the pawnshop.
4 2. A complete and accurate printed description of the
5 pledged goods or purchased goods, notwithstanding product
6 identification letter codes imprinted on the form, including
7 the following information, if applicable:
8 a. Brand name.
9 b. Model number.
10 c. Manufacturer's serial number.
11 d. Size.
12 e. Color, as apparent to the untrained eye.
13 f. Precious metal type, weight, and content, if known.
14 g. Gemstone description, including the number of
15 stones.
16 h. In the case of firearms, the type of action,
17 caliber or gauge, number of barrels, barrel length, and
18 finish.
19 i. Any other unique identifying marks, numbers, names,
20 or letters.
21
22 Notwithstanding sub-subparagraphs a.-i., in the case of
23 multiple items of a similar nature delivered together in one
24 transaction which do not bear serial or model numbers and
25 which do not include precious metal or gemstones, such as
26 musical or video recordings, books, and hand tools, the
27 description of the items is adequate if it contains the
28 quantity of items and a description of the type of items
29 delivered.
30 3. The name, the current address, home telephone
31 number, and place of employment, the date of birth, a physical
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1 description, and a substantial likeness of the right
2 thumbprint of the pledgor or seller. The thumbprint must be
3 placed on each copy of the pawnbroker transaction form. The
4 pledgor's address must be given verbally and the proper
5 identification number must be recorded. The pawnbroker is not
6 responsible for verifying any information given verbally by
7 the pledgor or seller.
8 4. The date and time of the transaction.
9 5. The type of identification accepted from the
10 pledgor or seller, including the issuing agency and the
11 identification number.
12 6. In the case of a pawn:
13 a. The amount of money advanced, which must be
14 designated as the amount financed;
15 b. The maturity date of the pawn, which must be 30
16 days after the date of the pawn;
17 c. The last default date of redemption of the pawn and
18 the amount due on the last default date of redemption;
19 d. The total pawn service charge payable on the
20 maturity date, which must be designated as the finance charge;
21 e. The amount financed plus the finance charge that
22 must be paid to redeem the pledged goods on the maturity date,
23 which must be designated as the total of payments;
24 f. The annual percentage rate, computed according to
25 the regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board under the
26 federal Truth in Lending Act; and
27 g. The front or back of the pawnbroker transaction
28 form must include a statement that:
29 (I) Any personal property pledged to a pawnbroker
30 within this state which is not redeemed within 30 days
31 following the maturity date of the pawn, if the 30th day is
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1 not a business day, then the following business day, is
2 automatically forfeited to the pawnbroker, and absolute right,
3 title, and interest in and to the property vests in and is
4 deemed conveyed to the pawnbroker by operation of law, and no
5 further notice is necessary;
6 (II) The pledgor is not obligated to redeem the
7 pledged goods; and
8 (III) If the pawnbroker transaction form is lost,
9 destroyed, or stolen, the pledgor must immediately advise the
10 issuing pawnbroker in writing by certified or registered mail,
11 return receipt requested, or in person evidenced by a signed
12 receipt.
13 (IV) A pawn may be extended upon mutual agreement of
14 the parties.
15 7. In the case of a purchase, the amount of money paid
16 for the goods or the monetary value assigned to the goods in
17 connection with the transaction.
18 8. A statement that the pledgor or seller of the item
19 represents and warrants that it is not stolen, that it has no
20 liens or encumbrances against it, and that the pledgor or
21 seller is the rightful owner of the goods and has the right to
22 enter into the transaction.
23 9. The name, initials, or employee identification
24 number of the clerk completing the transaction form.
25
26 Any person who knowingly gives false verification of ownership
27 or gives a false or altered identification and who receives
28 money from a pawnbroker for goods sold or pledged commits:
29 a. If the value of the money received is less than
30 $300, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
31 s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
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1 b. If the value of the money received is $300 or more,
2 a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
3 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
4 (9) RECORDKEEPING; REPORTING; HOLD PERIOD.--
5 (a) A pawnbroker must maintain a copy of each
6 completed pawnbroker transaction form on the pawnshop premises
7 for at least 1 year after the date of the transaction. On or
8 before the end of each business day, the pawnbroker must
9 deliver to the appropriate law enforcement official the
10 original pawnbroker transaction forms for each of the
11 transactions occurring during the previous business day,
12 unless other arrangements have been agreed upon between the
13 pawnbroker and the appropriate law enforcement official. The
14 sheriff, as chief law enforcement officer of the county, or
15 the director of the department of public safety when there is
16 no sheriff, is designated as the central repository for copies
17 of all pawnbroker transaction forms collected by the
18 appropriate law enforcement official in the county. Upon
19 request by the sheriff or public safety director, the
20 appropriate law enforcement official shall submit a copy of
21 each pawnbroker transaction form to the sheriff or public
22 safety director within a time and in such form as is
23 determined by the sheriff or public safety director after
24 consultation with the appropriate law enforcement official. If
25 the original transaction form is lost or destroyed by the
26 appropriate law enforcement official, a copy may be used by
27 the pawnbroker as evidence in court. When an electronic image
28 of a pledgor or seller identification is accepted for a
29 transaction, the pawnbroker must maintain the electronic image
30 in order to meet the same recordkeeping requirements as for
31 the original transaction form. If a criminal investigation
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1 occurs, the pawnbroker shall, upon request, provide a clear
2 and legible copy of the image to the appropriate law
3 enforcement official.
4 (b) If the appropriate law enforcement agency supplies
5 the appropriate software and the pawnbroker presently has the
6 computer ability, pawn transactions shall be electronically
7 transferred. If a pawnbroker does not presently have the
8 computer ability, the appropriate law enforcement agency may
9 provide the pawnbroker with a computer and all necessary
10 equipment for the purpose of electronically transferring pawn
11 transactions. The appropriate law enforcement agency shall
12 retain ownership of the computer, unless otherwise agreed
13 upon. The pawnbroker shall maintain the computer in good
14 working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Regardless of
15 whether the appropriate law enforcement agency has provided
16 the pawnbroker with the computer hardware necessary for this
17 electronic transfer, all pawnbrokers must computerize their
18 records by July 1, 2005. These computerized records must
19 provide for the export of pawn transaction data in the file
20 format and manner specified by the sheriff for inclusion in
21 the statewide database. In the event the pawnbroker transfers
22 pawn transactions electronically, the pawnbroker is not
23 required to also deliver to the appropriate law enforcement
24 official the original or copies of the pawnbroker transaction
25 forms. For audit purposes, the appropriate law enforcement
26 official may manually collect the original or a copy of the
27 completed transaction forms for review, with those forms being
28 returned to the pawnbroker within 15 business days. The
29 appropriate law enforcement official may, for the purposes of
30 a criminal investigation, request that the pawnbroker produce
31 an original of a transaction form that has been electronically
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1 transferred. The pawnbroker shall deliver this form to the
2 appropriate law enforcement official within 24 hours of the
3 request.
4 (c) There shall be a statewide system for collecting
5 and accessing pawnshop ticket and second-hand dealer
6 information as defined in chapters 538 and 539. The system
7 shall be administered by the sheriffs and shall include the
8 database known as the Florida Sheriffs' Property Recovery
9 Database. This database shall be the officially recognized
10 statewide database for all pawnshop ticket and second-hand
11 dealer information for which collection is required by law.
12 1. Any law enforcement official who is authorized by
13 law, and who meets the requirements established by and is
14 approved by the sheriffs shall have access to the Florida
15 Sheriffs' Property Recovery Database, in a manner prescribed
16 by the sheriffs.
17 2. In order to establish a more efficient and
18 effective system, the sheriffs, which includes the Director of
19 Public Safety in Dade County, as the chief law enforcement
20 officers of their respective counties, shall be designated as
21 the central repository agencies for all pawnshop ticket and
22 second-hand dealer information collected in their counties.
23 Any other law enforcement agency collecting this information
24 shall deliver the information, once collected, to the sheriff
25 of the county in which it is collected, which includes the
26 Director of Public Safety in Miami-Dade County, in a manner
27 prescribed by the sheriffs. Upon receiving the information
28 the sheriffs, which includes the Director of Public Safety in
29 Miami-Dade County, shall cause the information to be
30 transferred to the Florida Sheriffs' Property Recovery
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1 Database by electronic transmission or by other means approved
2 by the sheriffs.
3 3. The Florida Sheriffs' Property Recovery Database
4 may be accessed through "FLASH," the Florida Sheriffs'
5 Statewide Computer Networking System, or through any other
6 avenue approved by the sheriffs. Any costs or fees incurred or
7 to be incurred by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or
8 the Florida police chiefs must be approved by the Department
9 of Law Enforcement and the Florida Police Chiefs' Association
10 jointly.
11 4. The sheriffs, in consultation with the Florida
12 Police Chiefs' Association and the Department of Law
13 Enforcement, shall establish the standards and requirements
14 for transmitting and transferring the information into the
15 statewide system and access approval.
16 (d)(c) All goods delivered to a pawnbroker in a pawn
17 or purchase transaction must be securely stored and maintained
18 in an unaltered condition within the jurisdiction of the
19 appropriate law enforcement official for a period of 30
20 calendar days after the transaction. Those goods delivered to
21 a pawnbroker in a purchase transaction may not be sold or
22 otherwise disposed of before the expiration of such period.
23 The pawnbroker shall make all pledged and purchased goods and
24 all records relating to such goods available for inspection by
25 the appropriate law enforcement official during normal
26 business hours throughout such period. The pawnbroker must
27 store and maintain pledged goods for the period prescribed in
28 subsection (10) unless the pledged goods are redeemed earlier;
29 provided, however, that within the first 30 days after the
30 original pawn, the pledged goods may be redeemed only by the
31 pledgor or the pledgor's attorney in fact.
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1 (11) PAWN SERVICE CHARGES.--
2 (b) The default date of any pawn may be extended to a
3 subsequent date by mutual agreement, between the pledgor and
4 the pawnbroker except the pawnbroker may not impose a minimum
5 duration of more than 30 days, evidenced by a written
6 memorandum, a copy of which must be supplied to the pledgor,
7 which must clearly specify the new default date, and the pawn
8 service charges owed on the new default date. In this event,
9 the daily pawn service charge for the extension shall be equal
10 to the pawn service charge for the original 30-day period
11 divided by 30 days (i.e., one-thirtieth of the original total
12 pawn service charge). There is no limit on the number of
13 extensions that the parties may agree to.
14 (12) PROHIBITED ACTS.--A pawnbroker, or an employee or
15 agent of a pawnbroker, may not:
16 (b) Refuse to allow the agency, the appropriate law
17 enforcement official, or the state attorney, or any of their
18 designated representatives having jurisdiction, to inspect
19 completed pawnbroker transaction forms or any record
20 pertaining to such transactions, including computer records,
21 or pledged or purchased goods during the ordinary hours of the
22 pawnbroker's business or other time acceptable to both
23 parties. Upon request of the alleged owner or claimant of the
24 disputed property, the appropriate law enforcement official
25 shall disclose to a claimant or alledged owner the name and
26 address of the pawnbroker, the name and address of the
27 conveying customer, and a description of disputed property
28 that has been pawned, purchased, or consigned goods that the
29 claimant claims to be misappropriated. The pawnbroker may not
30 refuse to allow access to any area of the licensed business
31 location or any other location where pledged or purchased
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1 property is stored. Any locations other than the licensed
2 location used for storage must be disclosed to the law
3 enforcement officer.
4 (l) Operate a pawnshop between the hours of 10 p.m.
5 and 7 a.m.
6 (m) Knowingly hire anyone to work in a pawnshop who
7 has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo
8 contendere to, or had adjudication withheld for a felony
9 within the last 5 years, or been convicted of, or entered a
10 plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or had adjudication
11 withheld for a crime within the last 5 years which involves
12 theft, larceny, dealing in stolen property, receiving stolen
13 property, burglary, embezzlement, obtaining property by false
14 pretenses, possession of altered property, or any fraudulent,
15 or dishonest dealing.
16 (16) HOLD ORDERS; ISSUANCE; REQUIRED INFORMATION;
17 PROCEDURES.--
18 (a) When a an appropriate law enforcement official in
19 this state has probable cause to believe that property in the
20 possession of a pawnbroker is misappropriated, the official
21 may place a written hold order on the property. The written
22 hold order shall impose a holding period not to exceed 120 90
23 days unless extended by court order. A The appropriate law
24 enforcement official in this state may rescind, in writing,
25 any hold order, but. An appropriate law enforcement official
26 may place only one hold order on property.
27 (b) Upon the expiration of the holding period, the
28 pawnbroker shall notify, in writing, a the appropriate law
29 enforcement official in this state by certified mail, return
30 receipt requested, that the holding period has expired. If,
31 on the 10th day after the written notice has been received by
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1 a the appropriate law enforcement official in this state, the
2 pawnbroker has not received from a court an extension of the
3 hold order on the property and the property is not the subject
4 of a proceeding under subsection (15), title to the property
5 shall vest in and be deemed conveyed by operation of law to
6 the pawnbroker, free of any liability for claims but subject
7 to any restrictions contained in the pawn transaction contract
8 and subject to the provisions of this section.
9 (c) A hold order must specify:
10 1. The name and address of the pawnbroker.
11 2. The name, title, and identification number of the
12 representative of the appropriate law enforcement official or
13 the court placing the hold order.
14 3. If applicable, the name and address of the
15 appropriate law enforcement official in this state or court to
16 which such representative is attached and the number, if any,
17 assigned to the claim regarding the property.
18 4. A complete description of the property to be held,
19 including model number and serial number if applicable.
20 5. The name of the person reporting the property to be
21 misappropriated unless otherwise prohibited by law.
22 6. The mailing address of the pawnbroker where the
23 property is held.
24 7. The expiration date of the holding period.
25 (d) The pawnbroker or the pawnbroker's representative
26 must sign and date a copy of the hold order as evidence of
27 receipt of the hold order and the beginning of the 90-day
28 holding period.
29 (e)1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a
30 pawnbroker may not release or dispose of property subject to a
31 hold order except pursuant to a court order, a written release
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1 from a the appropriate law enforcement official in this state,
2 or the expiration of the holding period of the hold order.
3 2. While a hold order is in effect, the pawnbroker
4 must upon request release the property subject to the hold
5 order to the custody of a the appropriate law enforcement
6 official in this state for use in a criminal investigation.
7 The release of the property to the custody of a the
8 appropriate law enforcement official in this state is not
9 considered a waiver or release of the pawnbroker's property
10 rights or interest in the property. Upon completion of the
11 criminal proceeding, the property must be returned to the
12 pawnbroker unless the court orders other disposition. When
13 such other disposition is ordered, the court shall
14 additionally order the conveying customer to pay restitution
15 to the pawnbroker in the amount received by the conveying
16 customer for the property together with reasonable attorney's
17 fees and costs.
18 (17) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.--
19 (b) In addition to any other penalty, any person, who
20 willfully violates this section or who willfully makes a false
21 entry in any record specifically required by this section
22 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
23 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
24 Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 539.003, Florida
25 Statutes, is amended to read:
26 539.003 Confidentiality.--
27 (1) All records relating to pawnbroker transactions
28 delivered to appropriate law enforcement officials pursuant to
29 s. 539.001 are confidential and exempt from the provisions of
30 s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution
31 and may be used only for official law enforcement purposes.
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1 This section does not prohibit the disclosure by the
2 appropriate law enforcement officials of the name and address
3 of the pawnbroker, the name and address of the conveying
4 customer, or a description of pawned, purchased, or conveyed
5 property to the alleged owner of pawned property.
6 Section 3. Present subsections (3), (4), and (5) of
7 section 538.04, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, are
8 redesignated as subsections (4), (5), and (6), respectively,
9 and a new subsection (3) is added to that section to read:
10 538.04 Recordkeeping requirements; penalties.--
11 (3) If the appropriate law enforcement agency supplies
12 the appropriate software and the secondhand dealer presently
13 has computer capability, transactions of secondhand goods
14 shall be electronically transferred. If a secondhand dealer
15 does not presently have computer capability, the appropriate
16 law enforcement agency may provide the secondhand dealer with
17 a computer and all necessary equipment for the purpose of
18 electronically transferring transactions of secondhand goods.
19 The appropriate law enforcement agency shall retain ownership
20 of the computer, unless otherwise agreed upon. The secondhand
21 dealer shall maintain the computer in good working order,
22 ordinary wear and tear excepted. In the event the secondhand
23 dealer transfers transactions of secondhand goods
24 electronically, the secondhand dealer is not also required to
25 deliver to the appropriate law enforcement official the
26 original or copies of the secondhand goods transaction forms.
27 The appropriate law enforcement official may, for the purposes
28 of a criminal investigation, request that the secondhand
29 dealer produce an original of a transaction form that has been
30 electronically transferred. The secondhand dealer shall
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1999 SB 1820
33-321B-99
1 deliver this form to the appropriate law enforcement official
2 within 24 hours of the request.
3 Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
4 law.
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7 SENATE SUMMARY
8 Provides definitions relating to pawnbroking, secondhand
dealers, and stolen property. Provides modifications to
9 the findings required of the Division of Consumer
Services of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
10 Services before issuing orders imposing penalties.
Requires the approval of pawnbroker transaction forms.
11 Modifies the content of such forms. Revises recordkeeping
requirements for pawnbrokers to provide that the sheriff
12 or the director of the department of public safety is
designated as the central repository for copies of all
13 pawnbroker transaction forms collected by law enforcement
officials. Provides for submission of pawnbroker
14 transaction forms to the sheriff or public safety
director upon request. Requires pawnbrokers to
15 computerize their records by a future specified date.
Prescribes certain prohibited acts. Provides for a
16 statewide system for collecting and accessing pawnshop
ticket and secondhand dealer information. Designates the
17 sheriffs as administrators of the system. Provides law
enforcement officers access to the database. Designates
18 sheriffs' offices as central repositories responsible for
the transfer of information to the statewide database.
19 Requires the sheriffs, in consultation with the Florida
police chiefs and the Department of Law Enforcement, to
20 establish standards for transmitting information into the
statewide system. Modifies procedures for issuing hold
21 orders. Deletes an exemption to the confidentiality of
records of pawnbroker transactions. Provides for the
22 electronic transfer of transactions of secondhand goods.
Authorizes law enforcement agencies to provide a
23 secondhand dealer with a computer and necessary equipment
for the electronic transfer of transactions of secondhand
24 goods. Provides procedures.
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