Data-security bill may move forward next week

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http://news.com.com/Data-security+bill+may+move+forward+next+week/2100-7348_3-5886478.html?part=rss&tag=5886478&subj=news

A sweeping U.S. Senate measure that would stiffen security requirements and penalties for so-called brokers of personal data may go up for a committee vote next week, a representative said Friday.

Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, originally introduced the Personal Data Security and Privacy Act in June as part of a legislative outcry directed at a series of breaches by big-name companies such as ChoicePoint, Bank of America and Visa.

A number of related proposals also surfaced during this congressional term, including one approved by the Senate Commerce Committee just before the summer recess that has yet to head to floor debate. And in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Specter is chairman and Leahy is the highest ranking Democrat, action on the matter has been delayed for months because of other business, including the nomination of now-Chief Justice John Roberts to the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Specter and Leahy introduced an amended version of their June proposal. The new version omits a section that would have severely restricted the sale and use of social security numbers by businesses and other entities. According to a committee representative, the provision was dropped because another congressional committee has jurisdiction over such regulations.