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Second Regular Session

Sixty-first General Assembly

LLS NO. 98­0034.01 JAP HOUSE BILL 98­1168

STATE OF COLORADO

BY REPRESENTATIVE Arrington;

also SENATOR Coffman REREVISED

STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

A BILL FOR AN ACT

CONCERNING LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT NUMBERS.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.)

Prohibits anyone from providing information that would convey an individual's social security number or using an individual's social security number as a means of identification without obtaining the individual's written consent. Makes an exception for federal, state, and local governmental agencies that use social security numbers in legitimate record­keeping activities. Specifies the amount of damages for which an individual may sue if someone violates the prohibitions against selling social security numbers.


Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  Part 1 of article 21 of title 13, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:

13­21­109.5.  Recovery of damages for fraudulent use of social security numbers. (1)  NO PERSON SHALL BUY OR OTHERWISE OBTAIN OR SELL, OFFER FOR SALE, TAKE OR GIVE IN EXCHANGE, PLEDGE OR GIVE IN PLEDGE, OR USE ANY INDIVIDUAL'S SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT NUMBER, OR ANY DERIVATIVE OF SUCH NUMBER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING FRAUD OR FRAUDULENTLY USING OR ASSUMING SAID INDIVIDUAL'S IDENTITY.

(2)  ANY INDIVIDUAL AGGRIEVED BY THE ACT OF ANY PERSON IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION MAY BRING A CIVIL ACTION IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO RECOVER:

(a)  SUCH PRELIMINARY AND EQUITABLE RELIEF AS THE COURT DETERMINES TO BE APPROPRIATE; AND

(b)  THE GREATER OF:

(I)  ACTUAL DAMAGES; OR

(II)  LIQUIDATED DAMAGES OF UP TO TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.

(3)  IN ADDITION TO ANY DAMAGES AND OTHER RELIEF AWARDED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, IF THE AGGRIEVED INDIVIDUAL PREVAILS, THE COURT MAY ASSESS AGAINST THE DEFENDANT REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES AND ANY OTHER LITIGATION COSTS AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING EXPERT FEES, REASONABLY INCURRED BY THE AGGRIEVED INDIVIDUAL.

(4)  ANY ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO, AND NOT IN LIEU OF, ANY CRIMINAL PROSECUTION THAT MAY BE BROUGHT UNDER ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.

SECTION 2.  Effective date ­ applicability. (1)  This act shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety­day period after final adjournment of the general assembly that is allowed for submitting a referendum petition pursuant to article V, section 1 (3) of the state constitution; except that, if a referendum petition is filed against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part, if approved by the people, shall take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor.

(2)  The provisions of this act shall apply to causes of action accruing on or after the applicable effective date of this act.