Governor Schwarzenegger has signed SB 1390 by Senator Poochigian (R-Fresno) that will help law enforcement agencies spot trends of identity theft and more effectively combat the growing crime.
"Last year, one million Californians were victimized by identity theft - this is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Law enforcement must utilize every tool available to stay ahead of the criminals who organize and steal personal information to commit fraud," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This legislation will give California law enforcement agencies access to valuable data to use in the fight against identity theft."
"I am pleased to work with Senator Poochigian whose hard work and dedication to public safety have made him a leader in the fight against the growing epidemic of identity theft."
SB 1390 requires the California Department of Justice to publish data regarding identity theft arrests in its annual report of crime statistics. Separating out identity theft arrest information will create more accurate criminal justice statistical data.
In 2005, the Governor signed anti-identity theft measures that increased the penalties for "spam," banned the use of equipment to make fake documents, prohibit prisoners from accessing personal information while in work programs, and authorized the Department of Managed Healthcare to perform criminal background checks for state employees and others who have access to medical information.
The Governor also increased the 2005/06 budget for the California Office of Privacy Protection (COPP) by $446,000 to help protect against identity theft, including education and outreach efforts to consumers and organizations throughout California.
Governor Schwarzenegger has sponsored two annual summits to bring law enforcement officials, consumer advocacy groups, government officials and industry leaders from across California to focus on ways to fight identity theft. After the first summit was held in Sacramento in 2005, the Department of Consumer Affairs facilitated a working group of experts who released a report on perspectives and recommendations. Earlier this year, the Governor opened his anti-identity theft summit in Los Angeles where more than 1,000 consumer advocates, policy experts and law enforcement officials participated in education and training sessions aimed at fighting identity theft.
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