RBMS Security Committee: State Laws: Nevada

The RBMS Security Committee attempts to maintain a current list of statutes from each of the fifty states pertaining to library thefts or other criminal acts involving library and archival materials (view index). Following are the relevant laws for the state of Nevada:

Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 379.160. Willful detention of or damage to property of public library; penalties; liability of parent or guardian.

1. Any person who willfully detains any book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, manuscript, filmstrip or other property of any public library or reading room for more than 30 days after receipt of written notice demanding the return of any such article or property shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.

2. Any person who willfully cuts, tears, defaces, breaks or injures any book, map, chart, picture, engraving, statue, coin, model, apparatus or other work of literature, art, mechanics or object of curiosity deposited in any public library or reading room shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.

3. The parent or guardian of a minor who willfully and maliciously commits any acts within the scope of subsection 1 or 2 is liable for all damages so caused by the minor.

Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 647.120. Reports of transactions and suspected stolen property to sheriff or chief of police.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, every secondhand dealer doing business in:

(a) Any unincorporated town shall, before 12 m. of each day, mail in duplicate to the sheriff of the county a full, true and correct transcript of the record of all transactions had on the preceding day.

(b) Any incorporated city shall, before 12 m. of each day, furnish, by mail or any other means, in duplicate to the chief of police of the city, a full, true and correct transcript of the record of all transactions had on the preceding day.

2. Every transcript prepared pursuant to subsection 1 must include, but is not limited to:

(a) The date and time of each transaction; and

(b) The identity of the secondhand dealer or employee who conducted the transaction. The person conducting the transaction shall legibly print or type his full name and write his signature on the transcript. Each transcript must include a certificate, signed by the person selling the property to the secondhand dealer, stating that he has the legal right to sell the property.

3. Every secondhand dealer doing business in an unincorporated town or in an incorporated city having good cause to believe that any property in his possession has been previously lost or stolen shall forthwith report that fact to the sheriff or chief of police, respectively, together with the name of the owner if known, and the date when and the name of the person from whom he received the property.

4. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to any transaction which involves buying, selling or trading used:

(a) Books, periodicals or sound recordings;

(b) Clothing; or

See Nevada statutes online at: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/Index.cfm.

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