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Corman's Effort to Assist Victims of Identity Theft Passes Senate
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
written by Sen. Jake Corman (R-34) that helps Pennsylvanians clear financial
issues that are a result of identity theft has passed the state Senate.
Corman's Senate Bill 178
unanimously passed the state Senate today and is now headed to the state House
for consideration.
Senate Bill 178 amends the
Crime Victims Act and requires the Office of Victim's Services to cooperate with
other Commonwealth and law enforcement agencies to ensure that victims of
identity theft receive the appropriate information to assist them with the
resolution of any financial issues arising from the commission of the crime.
Also under Corman's
legislation, the state Victim's Services Advisory Committee will be expanded to
include the interests of identity theft. The Committee would be expanded from
the current fifteen members to seventeen members, including the appointment of
one member who represents the interests of victims of identity theft.
“Identity theft is a crime
with many consequences, both personally and financially, and many people don't
know where to start to get their lives back in order,” Corman said. “With this
legislation, victims of identity theft will have advocates looking out for their
interests and will have direction on how to restore their good name and good
credit. I am hopeful the House will give this measure quick consideration so
that our state government can be a better resource for identity theft victims.”
Senate Bill 178 is one of the original bills that
comprised his thirteen-bill Privacy and Security Legislative Package, which
gained national attention. Corman was able to have a majority of the proposals
enacted into law such as measures to toughen laws on identity theft and
strengthen our crimes code to include computer crimes.
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