Kentucky lawmakers strengthen penalties for copper theft with proposed bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky lawmakers are taking aim at copper theft with a new law that increases penalties for offenders.

Sen. Brandon Storm (R-London) highlighted Senate Bill 64, which makes copper theft a Class D felony, carrying stronger penalties than before.

The law comes after seven people were arrested in Louisville for stealing telecommunications wiring. Lawmakers say the legislation is designed to better protect Kentucky’s critical infrastructure, which has been increasingly targeted by copper thieves.