Rush Introduces Major Privacy Bill During National Consumer Protection Week

Rush Introduces Major Privacy Bill During National Consumer Protection Week

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection introduced major bipartisan anti-identity theft legislation yesterday that will protect consumers from identity theft.

The Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA), introduced by Reps. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Cliff Stearns (R-FL), and 22 original cosponsors will protect consumers by requiring entities engaged in interstate commerce to have reasonable security policies and procedures to protect data containing personal information, and to provide for nationwide notice in the event of a security breach.

"National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 4 - 10) is a fitting time to stop the scourge of identity theft and related abuse," said Rush. "Data breaches continue at a rapid pace and constitute a major threat to consumers. We must pass comprehensive data security legislation this year."

The bill (HR 958), which is currently in the Energy and Commerce committee and will be sent to the House as expeditiously as possible, "will give consumers the peace of mind of knowing that their private, sensitive information is secure to the highest degree possible," added Rush.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce has Rule X jurisdiction over consumer affairs and consumer protection and is the lead committee on privacy matters

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