BILL ANALYSIS
AB 46
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 46 (Simitian)
As Amended June 3, 2003
Majority vote
PUBLIC SAFETY APPROPRIATIONS 17-6
(vote not relevant)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | |Ayes:|Steinberg, Berg, Kehoe, |
| | | |Corbett, Diaz, Firebaugh, |
| | | |Goldberg, Leno, Nation, |
| | | |Chan, Nunez, Pavley, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Simitian, |
| | | |Wiggins, Yee, Laird |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Bates, Daucher, Haynes, |
| | | |Pacheco, Runner, |
| | | |Samuelian |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Prohibits the use of social security numbers, as
specified. Specifically, this bill :
1)Prohibits a college or university from using a student's social
security number as a public identifier, but allows a college or
university to use a student's social security number for
specified purposes.
2)Authorizes a college or university to develop a personal
identifier system other than social security numbers for
students.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, state General Fund (GF) costs, potentially in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars to the extent state agencies need
to change identifier practices to comply with this bill.
Absorbable GF costs to the University of California, California
State University, and the community colleges to change student
identifiers.
COMMENTS : As heard in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety,
this bill also increased the penalties for identity theft when the
victim is a minor and prohibited employers from using employees'
social security numbers for any purposes other than submitting or
receiving tax information. These provisions were removed from the
AB 46
Page 2
bill in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. In support of the
measure, the author states:
This bill prohibits California colleges and employers
from using social security numbers as public identifying
number (i.e., identification cards or pay stubs). ?
Identity theft is among the fastest growing crimes in
America. The frequent and public use of social security
numbers makes them particularly vulnerable to theft.
Restricting the public display of social security
numbers, which are key financial identifiers, is an
important component in protecting both students and
employees from identity theft. This bill prevents
California universities and colleges from using
students' social security numbers as their student
identifiers. ? Identity theft can devastate its victims.
Students, employees, and children need greater
protections in keeping their social security numbers
beyond the reach of identity thieves.
Analysis Prepared by : Saskia Kim / JUD. / (916) 319-2334
FN: 0001834