ID-theft measure gains final Senate approval

A bill designed to make it easier for identity theft victims to access information and report crimes online received final approval in the Senate Tuesday.

Before the 27-0 vote in favor of HB432, Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said the Executive Appropriations Committee has approved the bill's one-time funding of $400,000. The bill still needs the governor's signature.

The bill would require the state Attorney General's Office to maintain an online database of information on identity theft, a way for victims to report their crimes and have those reports forwarded to the proper agency.

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said the database has "limped along with private-sector funding," but with the state funding could become "a model for all across the country."