Alaska Legislature passes ID theft bill

JUNEAU - A consumer protection bill that would protect Alaskans from identity theft passed the Legislature unanimously.

House Bill 65 was approved Saturday in the Senate, where a similar measure ran aground two years ago. It passed the House in February.

The broad-ranging measure includes a ban on the sale or disclosure of Social Security numbers and a requirement that individuals be notified of security breaches involving their personal information.

It also allows consumers to put a freeze on their credit reports.

The bill, co-sponsored by North Pole Republican John Coghill and Anchorage Democrat Les Gara, goes to the governor next. If signed, it would take effect in July 2009.