(1)(a) A secondhand dealer may not sell, barter, exchange, alter, adulterate, use, or in any way dispose of any secondhand good:

1. That is a precious metal, a gemstone, or jewelry; an antique furnishing, fixture, or decorative object; or an item of art as defined in s. 686.501 within 30 calendar days after the date on which the good is acquired.

2. That is not described in subparagraph 1. within 15 calendar days after the date on which the good is acquired.

3. Within 30 calendar days after the date on which the good is acquired if the secondhand dealer uses an automated kiosk.

Such holding periods are not applicable when the person known by the secondhand dealer to be the person from whom the goods were acquired desires to redeem, repurchase, or recover the goods, provided the dealer can produce the record of the original transaction with verification that the customer is the person from whom the goods were originally acquired.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the term “antique” means the item is at least 30 years old and has special value because of its age.

(2) A secondhand dealer must maintain actual physical possession of all secondhand goods throughout a transaction. It is unlawful for a secondhand dealer to accept title or any other form of security in secondhand goods in lieu of actual physical possession. A secondhand dealer who accepts title or any other form of security in secondhand goods in lieu of actual physical possession commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3) Upon probable cause that goods held by a secondhand dealer are stolen, a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction may place a 90-day written hold order on the goods. However, the hold may be extended beyond 90 days by a court of competent jurisdiction upon a finding of probable cause that the property is stolen and further holding is necessary for the purposes of trial or to safeguard such property. The dealer shall assume all responsibility, civil or criminal, relative to the property or evidence in question, including responsibility for the actions of any employee with respect thereto.

(4) While a hold order is in effect, the secondhand dealer must, upon request, release the property subject to the hold order to the custody of a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction for use in a criminal investigation. The release of the property to the custody of the law enforcement officer is not considered a waiver or release of the secondhand dealer’s rights or interest in the property. Upon completion of the criminal proceeding, the property must be returned to the secondhand dealer unless the court orders other disposition. When such other disposition is ordered, the court shall additionally order the person from whom the secondhand dealer acquired the property to pay restitution to the secondhand dealer in the amount that the secondhand dealer paid for the property together with reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

(5) All dealers in secondhand property regulated by this chapter shall maintain transaction records for 3 years.

History.—s. 2, ch. 89-533; s. 1, ch. 90-192; s. 4, ch. 90-318; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 93-97; s. 2, ch. 95-287; s. 21, ch. 2000-138; s. 4, ch. 2006-201; s. 3, ch. 2016-59.