Ask Reggi Your Question Now
Can you summarize 5 ILCS 179?
GENERAL PROVISIONS > Identity Protection Act.
Short Summary
The Identity Protection Act, also known as the Illinois Compiled Statutes, General Provisions, governs the use and disclosure of social security numbers. It applies to all persons or State or local government agencies. The Act prohibits certain activities related to social security numbers, such as publicly posting or displaying them, printing them on cards required for accessing products or services, transmitting them over the Internet without secure connection or encryption, and printing them on materials mailed to individuals unless required by law. The Act also restricts the collection, use, or disclosure of social security numbers unless required by law, with documented need and relevance. However, there are exemptions for specific circumstances such as disclosure to government entities, court orders, ensuring safety, internal verification or administrative purposes, debt collection, fraud prevention, background checks, credit reporting, and locating missing persons or beneficiaries. The Act allows stricter standards adopted by State or local government agencies to provide greater protection for social security numbers. The Act also requires each local government agency and State agency to draft and approve an identity-protection policy within 12 months of the Act’s effective date. The policy must include provisions such as training employees who handle social security numbers, restricting access to such information, ensuring social security numbers can be easily redacted when released as part of public records, and providing a statement of purpose when collecting social security numbers. Local government agencies and State agencies must implement the policy within 12 months of approval. The Act does not affect the requirements of Section 10. Specific penalties for non-compliance are not mentioned in the document.
Whom does it apply to?
The Identity Protection Act applies to all persons or State or local government agencies.
What does it govern?
The Identity Protection Act governs the use and disclosure of social security numbers.
What are exemptions?
The Act provides exemptions for specific circumstances such as disclosure to government entities, court orders, ensuring safety, internal verification or administrative purposes, debt collection, fraud prevention, background checks, credit reporting, and locating missing persons or beneficiaries. The Act also allows stricter standards adopted by State or local government agencies to provide greater protection for social security numbers.
What are the Penalties?
Specific penalties for non-compliance are not mentioned in the document.
Jurisdiction
Illinois