AB 448

This bill expands the applicability of a prohibition under current law regarding

discarded or abandoned refrigerators and freezers. Under current law, a person who

discards or abandons a refrigerator or freezer with a capacity of 1.5 cubic feet or more

and fails to remove the door of the refrigerator or freezer is guilty of a misdemeanor

and subject to a fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days

or both. However, this penalty does not apply if, instead of removing the door, the

latch on the door is adjusted to prevent the door from latching or locking. Also under

current law, an owner, lessee, or manager who controls the premises on which a

refrigerator or freezer has been discarded or abandoned is subject to the same

penalties if he or she knowingly permits a discarded or abandoned refrigerator or

freezer of that capacity to remain on the premises without removal of the door or

adjustment of the latch.

Under the bill, the above penalties apply to discarding or abandoning a “major

appliance” of any capacity, which the bill defines as a residential or commercial

clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, refrigerator, icebox, freezer, stove,

microwave oven, any other oven, or similar appliance that has a door. In addition,

under the bill, the major appliance's door must be removed for the penalties not to

apply regardless of whether the latch is adjusted.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report.