Title: An act relating to security freezes for victims of identity theft.

Brief Description: Regulating security freezes for victims of identity theft.

Sponsors: Senators Berkey and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection: 1/26/06.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, HOUSING & CONSUMER PROTECTION

Staff: Joanne Conrad (786-7472)

Background: In the 2005 Legislative Session, a bill passed that allowed victims of identity theft or security data breaches to protect their credit histories by requesting a "security freeze" ("credit freeze") of their credit reports. Under the new law, some types of businesses were exempt from the freeze and could still access credit reports. Exemptions included, for example, law enforcement, collection agencies under court order, child support enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Summary of Bill: Insurance companies and mortgage brokers licensed and regulated or authorized to do business in Washington State are exempted from being denied access to credit reports under the State's credit freeze law.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.