LEGISLATION

SSNs Under Attack COMPANION LEGISLATION has been introduced in the House and Senate that would prohibit direct marketers from using Social Security numbers without a person's permission. The Privacy and Identity Protection Act (H.R. 4857 and S-2876), introduced last month, would ban federal and state agencies from including a person's Social Security number in lists that are rented or sold to third parties. The measure limits the use of these numbers to federal benefits and prohibits them from being used to verify a person's identity in a broad spectrum of commercial activity. In addition, states would be banned from including these numbers on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations, and the numbers would be prohibited from being printed on checks. Law enforcement, public health officials and researchers would have access to the numbers providing they do not "harass, target or publicly reveal information concerning any identifiable individuals." Rules and regulations implementing the law are to be developed and enforced by both the Social Security Administration and the Federal Trade Commission. The bill was introduced by Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL) and Sen. James Bunning (R-KY).