U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) on Jan. 27 sponsored legislation that would establish an identity fraud prevention innovation grant program for states.
Under the bipartisan Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act, H.R. 7270, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (R-IL), the grants would help states modernize identity systems, develop secure digital versions of existing credentials where they choose to do so, and protect against emerging risks such as artificial intelligence-driven deep fakes.
“Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing threats facing American families, our financial system, and the integrity of government programs,” Rep. Sessions said. “Criminal organizations and hostile nation states are exploiting outdated identity systems, costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and putting Americans’ personal information at risk.
“I am grateful to Congressman Foster for co-leading this important, bipartisan legislation, and for his partnership in advancing common-sense solutions that strengthen security and protect privacy,” the congressman added.
If enacted, H.R. 7270 would establish a government-wide approach to addressing vulnerabilities in online identity verification that are increasingly exploited by organized criminal networks and hostile nation states, and would build on work already directed by Congress for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop voluntary digital identity guidelines.
Participation in the program by states and individuals would remain voluntary under the proposed legislation, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Sessions’ office.
“It is important that Congress responds to the growing wave of identity theft and fraud in the United States by strengthening our digital identity infrastructure,” said Rep. Foster. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Sessions to provide states with the support they need to safeguard Americans’ personal information and strengthen consumers’ ability to protect themselves against identity theft and fraud.”
The Better Identity Coalition endorsed the measure, which has been referred for consideration to three committees in the U.S. House of Representatives.