NCISS - Legislative Committee Update 10/9/09
Colleagues,
The NCISS "Hit the Hill" visits during late September have
proved very timely. Congress is extremely busy with major
legislation and will stay in session long past its anticipated
October adjournment. And while all eyes are on major
legislation, including the massive health insurance bill, recent
developments on bills of direct interest to NCISS are starting
to see some action:
HR 2221, the "Data Accountability & Trust Act" was passed by the
Energy & Commerce Committee. This legislation is intended to
prevent breaches of personal data by requiring businesses to
protect it. As passed by the committee it does not include
restrictions on the use of Social Security numbers.
HR 3126, the "Consumer Financial Protection Act" is scheduled to
be considered by the House Financial Services committee next
week. NCISS members were very concerned about a proposal to
transfer jurisdiction over the Fair Credit Practices Act from
the Federal Trade Commission to the new agency. A new draft of
the bill, however, would specifically keep regulation of
consumer reporting agencies within the FTC.
HR 3763, "To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for
an exclusion from Red Flag Guidelines," which provides
exceptions to the red flag rules ,will also be considered next
week by the Financial Services Committee. The Red Flag Rule
requires companies which extend credit to have programs in place
to prevent identity theft. Some NCISS members could be affected.
The bill exempts attorney and accountants with less than 20
employees and provides a mechanism for the FTC to exempt other
businesses if they can show that they know all their customers.
HR 1258, the "Truth in Caller ID" bill was passed out of a
subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee on
Thursday. The bill prohibits spoofing "with the intent to
defraud or cause harm." The language is similar to that of the S
30 which passed the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year.
The House Ways and Means Committee has not yet taken any action
on HR 3331, the "Social Security Number Privacy and Identity
Theft Protection Act", which limits access to Social Security
numbers.
There has been no recent movement on HR 1409/S560 the "Employee
Free Choice Act" .
Thank you all for your continued loyalty and support.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Mesis
NCISS Legislative Chairman
jim@nciss.org
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