Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Data Security Bills

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved two data security bills Thursday. The first measure, S.1490, seeks to prevent and mitigate identity theft, ensure privacy, and provide notice of security breaches. It also would enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections agai

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved two data security bills Thursday. The first measure, S.1490, seeks to prevent and mitigate identity theft, ensure privacy, and provide notice of security breaches. It also would enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against data security breaches. The legislation was filed by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

The panel also approved a bill, S. 139, which would require federal agencies, and persons engaged in interstate commerce to disclose any data breach of sensitive information. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., authored the second measure.

In response, Business Software Alliance President Robert Holleyman said, “The frequency and severity of data breaches have prompted more than 45 states to pass data security laws, creating a confusing ‘patchwork quilt’ of regulations. This is why BSA supports creating a single national framework requiring that consumers be notified when the security of their personal data has been compromised.”