SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced the passage of AB 2333 from the Senate Committee on Public Safety by a vote of 6-0.

“This crime is a gross violation of personal privacy that cannot be tolerated,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “It is imperative that we do all we can to defend people from these types of heinous acts. Tackling the crime of identity theft requires us to be pro-active, to think multiple steps ahead of perpetrators.”

Existing law provides that every person who, with the intent to defraud, acquires, transfers, or retains possession of the personal identifying information of another person is guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000 or a fine not to exceed $1,500 if the person has been ordered to serve temporary military duty outside of the state, or by both that imprisonment and fine. AB 2333 would also provide that every person who, with the intent to defraud, acquires, transfers, or retains possession of the personal identifying information of 10 or more other persons is guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years, or by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by both imprisonment and fine. Because AB 2333 would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated, local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem throughout the State of California. Nationwide, the Federal Trade Commission reported 43,839 victims of ID theft in 2004, with an average amount paid of $1,455 in damages. Those numbers rank California 3rd in the nation in identity theft victims, on a per capita basis.

AB 2333 is supported by the California District Attorneys Association, the California Credit Union League, the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, and the Coalition for Quality Credit Counseling.

AB 2333 now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee for additional consideration.