Getting a law passed through the legislative process is difficult-even good legislation. House Bill 1384, sponsored by Representative Cox was signed by Governor Blunt on June 30, 2008. This bill provides two new tools for victims of identity theft. Individuals can become victims of identity theft through in-person contact, over the telephone and through use of the internet.

The legislation provides, first of all, that a victim of identity theft has a right to go to their local police department or Sheriff and get an incident report even if the criminal lives in some distant location. This is the first step a victim of identity theft should take. With this official report in hand the victim can begin to correct the harm caused to them by the thief. Secondly, the bill requires the three national credit reporting agencies to allow consumers to place a credit freeze on the credit report. The credit freeze is a tool that permits victims of identity to temporarily freeze their credit information which will prevent future injury to them.

This is the most significant consumer protection legislation passed this year by the Missouri General Assembly. With this legislation, Missouri joins 39 other states in adopting this important pro-consumer policy. I acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Senator Mike Gibbons in this successful effort. This legislation will significantly reduce the injury caused by identity theft which is a threat to all consumers.

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House Communications - News

2/19 House Gives Final Approval to Several Consent Bills - 2/19/2008 12:00:00 AM

Jefferson City The Missouri House took action on Tuesday to approve several non-controversial bills on the consent calendar.

The House gave final approval to House Bill 1380 sponsored by Rep. David Sater, R-Cassville. The bill would provide statutory authority to tax boards established by the Senior Citizens' Services Fund to allocate money to senior centers and other senior-related programs. Currently, tax boards are already allocating funds to senior centers. Rep. Saters legislation would simply ensure the legality of the practice.

House Bill 1386 sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox, R-Sedalia, also was approved by the House. Rep. Coxs legislation would make it easier to fill spots on the board of trustees for city hospitals. According to Rep. Cox this legislation would impact six hospitals in the state by allowing them to have trustees who are not citizens of the city where the hospital is located. Under current law, an ordinance providing for a larger board of trustees requires that three-fifths of the trustees be citizens of the city.

Disabled veterans doing business in the state would have an advantage in securing bids for state jobs under another piece of legislation passed by the House. Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, sponsors House Bill 1313 to give a preference in all state purchasing contracts to certain disabled veterans doing business in Missouri so long as the quality of their work is equal to or better, and the same price as or less, than competing bids. The legislation would make the state bidding process more in line with the federal process.

The final bill approved by the House on Tuesday was House Bill 1311 sponsored by Rep. Ted Hoskins, D-Berkeley. Rep. Hoskins bill would ensure write-in candidates for municipal office meet all required qualifications, deadlines, and tax obligations for holding elective office.

All four bills now move to the Senate for consideration.