PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT -- (House of Representatives - April 15, 1999)

[Page: H2059]
---

(Mr. KLECZKA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KLECZKA. Madam Speaker, information on the most personal aspects of our lives continues to be spread across the landscape. Once taken for granted, our wall of privacy is steadily crumbling.

Today I am reintroducing the Personal Privacy Information Act. This legislation attempts to restore some control over the use of our personal information. The bill prevents credit bureaus from giving out social security numbers, and prohibits the sale of any information that includes anyone's social security number unless they have written consent to do so.

A merchant who requires a social security number on a check used for a purchase or a cable company who demands a social security number on an application for service will be prohibited from doing so.

Further, this bill prohibits any State Department of Motor Vehicles from selling drivers' photographs or drivers lists containing social security numbers. Lastly, marketers will not be able to sell consumer purchasing experiences or credit transactions without prior approval.

Madam Speaker, this legislation is designed to curtail the rampant invasion of our privacy. What we buy and

[Page: H2060]

where we buy it is no one's business but our own, and the unauthorized use and abuse of our social security number must stop. I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor and to support this legislation.

END