(a) No person shall carry on the business of a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor without first having taken out a license and duly qualified as provided in this chapter.

(b) All licenses granted by the State Police to such persons, citizens of this State and companies existing under the laws of this State to engage in and carry on the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor shall expire annually on December 31.

(c) The licenses shall designate the address in which the person or company shall carry on the business. No person or company shall engage in or carry on the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor in any other building than the one designated in the license. This prohibition does not apply to the acquisition of goods by a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor.

(d) The Director may suspend or revoke a license or issue an emergency suspension for a violation of this chapter or regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary.

(e) Anyone licensed under this chapter shall notify the Section within 5 days of being arrested for any misdemeanor or felony crime.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  13;  Code 1915, §  1208;  Code 1935, §  1394;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2302;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 3; 

An applicant applying for a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor license must meet and maintain the following qualifications:

(1) Must be at least 18 years of age.

(2) Must submit a current valid Delaware business license issued by the Delaware Division of Revenue,

(3) Must notify the Section, within 10 days, of any change of address, phone number, email address or contact person for the business.

(4) Must not have any pending criminal charges.

(5) Must not have been convicted of a felony within 5 years of application date.

(6) Must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor involving a theft-related offense, or moral turpitude within 3 years of the application.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  1;  Code 1915, §  1196;  Code 1935, §  1382;  46 Del. Laws, c. 136, §  1;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2303;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 185, §  5;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 4; 

(a) The Section shall keep a register of all applications for pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and scrap metal processors and complete records, changes and additions to rules and regulations, hearings and such other matters as the Secretary shall determine. Such records shall constitute prima facie evidence of the proceedings of the Secretary.

(b) The Section pursuant to approval of the Secretary shall:

(1) Adopt and, from time to time, revise such rules and regulations and standards not inconsistent with the law as may be necessary to enable it to carry into effect this chapter;

(2) Deny or withdraw approval from applicants for failure to meet approved application procedures and other criteria;

(3) Oversee renewal applications and appropriate fees;

(4) Conduct hearings upon request for denial, suspension or revocation of a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor license;

(5) Have the power to issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses, and administer oaths to persons giving testimony at hearings;

(6) Have all the duties, powers and authority necessary to the enforcement of this chapter, as well as such other duties, powers and authority as it may be granted from time to time by the Secretary.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  5;  Code 1915, §  1200;  28 Del. Laws, c. 81, §  1;  Code 1935, §  1386;  47 Del. Laws, c. 263, §  1;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2313;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 5; 

(a) Every person receiving a license for conducting the business of pawnbroker shall pay the Division $50 to go to the State’s General Fund.

(b) Every person receiving a license for conducting the business of secondhand dealer shall pay the Division $50 to go to the State’s General Fund.

(c) Every person receiving a license for conducting the business of scrap metal processor shall pay the Division $50 to go to the State’s General Fund.

(d) Every person receiving a license for conducting the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor, shall annually pay a reasonable subscription fee, not to exceed $300, to the electronic reporting system designated by the Secretary.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  2;  Code 1915, §  1197;  Code 1935, §  1383;  46 Del. Laws, c. 137, §  1;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2304;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 173, §  2;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 6; 

(a) Grounds. —

Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the Director, pursuant to the authority of the Secretary may impose any of the following sanctions (subsection (b) of this section) singly or in combination when it finds a licensee is guilty of any offense described herein:

(1) Conducting a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor without a license; or

(2) Failure to comply with electronic reporting requirements pursuant to § 2302 of this title; or

(3) Failure to comply with holding period requirements pursuant to § 2304 of this title; or

(4) Obtaining criminal charges or convictions pursuant to § 2311 of this title; or

(5) Failure to comply with inspection requests pursuant to § 2305 of this title; or

(6) Failure to notify the local law-enforcement agency upon suspicion of stolen goods pursuant to § 2306 of this title; or

(7) Violating prohibited transactions pursuant to § 2307 of this title; or

(8) Submitting false or fraudulent information material to any application for a license; or

(9) Violating any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated by the Secretary.

(b) Disciplinary sanctions. —

(1) Permanently revoke a license.

(2) Suspend a license.

(3) Issue a letter of reprimand.

(4) Refuse to issue a license.

(5) Refuse to renew a license.

(6) Issue an emergency suspension

(7) Or otherwise discipline.

(c) Procedure. —

(1) After receipt of written notice from the Section of the denial, suspension, emergency suspension or revocation of a license, the applicant or license holder shall be afforded a hearing before the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.

(2) The accused may be represented by counsel who shall have the right of examination and cross examination.

(3) Testimony before the Superintendent shall be under oath.

(4) A record of the hearing shall be made. At the request and expense of any party such record shall be transcribed with a copy to the other party.

(5) The decision of the Superintendent shall be based upon sufficient legal evidence. If the charges are supported by such evidence, the Superintendent may refuse to issue, or revoke or suspend a license, or otherwise discipline an individual. A suspended license may be reissued by the Section at the direction of the Superintendent.

(d) All decisions of the Superintendent shall be final and conclusive. Where the applicant or licensee is in disagreement with the action of the Superintendent, the practitioner may appeal the Superintendent’s decision to the Secretary within 30 days of service or the postmarked date of the copy of the decision mailed to the individual. The appeal shall be on the record to the Secretary as provided in the Administrative Procedures Act, subchapter V of Chapter 101 of Title 29 (§ 10141 et seq. of Title 29).

(e) All decisions of the Secretary shall be final and conclusive. Where the applicant or licensee is in disagreement with the action of the Secretary, the practitioner may appeal the decision to the Superior Court.

(1) An appeal pursuant to this section must be filed within 30 days of service or the postmarked date of the copy of the written decision and order of the Secretary is mailed.

(2) An appeal pursuant to this section is on the record without a trial de novo.

(3) The Secretary’s decision to deny, revoke, suspend or otherwise restrict a person’s license is not stayed upon appeal unless so ordered by the Superior Court.

81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 7;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 425, § 17; 

Every person applying for a license to conduct the business of a pawnbroker shall first effect an insurance policy against fire for $50,000 for the protection of goods, pawned or pledged.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  4;  Code 1915, §  1199;  Code 1935, §  1385;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2306;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 8; 

No person conducting the business of a pawnbroker shall ask, demand or receive a greater rate of interest than 30 percent per month on any loans secured by pledge of personal property.

24 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  8;  Code 1915, §  1203;  30 Del. Laws, c. 83, §  1;  Code 1935, §  1389;  24 Del. C. 1953, §  2308;  75 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 185, §  6;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 9; 

(a) Any pawnbroker, second hand dealer, or scrap metal processor operating without the required license may be issued a cease and desist order by the Division and will not be permitted to operate without first obtaining such license.

(b) Whenever, in the judgment of the Director pursuant to authority of the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee, any pawnbroker, secondhand dealer or scrap metal processor has engaged in any acts or practices which constitutes a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation or issued thereunder, the Director may request the Attorney General to make application to the Court of Chancery for an order enjoining such acts or practices for an order directing compliance and, upon a showing by Director that such entity has engaged or about to engage in such acts or practices, a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order or other order may be granted.

79 Del. Laws, c. 299, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 102, § 10;