COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 06/09/10

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, and unanimously passed the following bill as amended:

HB 1175:  This bill creates the “Identification Device Act” to prohibit anyone from requiring another person to have a Radio-Frequency Identification chip placed under their skin for any purpose.  This would include a guardian, parent or attorney.  A person would have to be at least 18 years old and of sound mind to have a chip placed under their skin.  Amendment A06458 was offered which would not allow prisoners to be chipped.  A vote of 10-0 was recorded.  A07010 was offered which would allow a guardian, parent or attorney to “chip” an individual and removes the language containing that an individual would have to be 18 years of age.  A vote of 6-4 was recorded.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 05/05/10

The Senate Labor and Industry Committee met on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, and unanimously tabled the following bill:

HB 1175:  This bill creates the “Identification Device Act” to prohibit anyone from requiring another person to have a Radio-Frequency Identification chip placed under their skin for any purpose.  This would include a guardian, parent or attorney.  A person would have to be at least 18-years old and of sound mind to have a chip placed under their skin.  The committee members thought the bill was too broad and tabled it to allow for further discussion and possible amendments. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 03/17/10

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Wednesday March 17, 2010 and reported the following measures from committee by a unanimous 8-0 vote.

As committed

SB 964 PN 1168 (Robbins) This bill amends Act 160 of 2006, the Social Security Number Privacy Act to expedite the effective date by which alternative identification numbers may be used by those applying or renewing certain licenses, including recreational licenses in accordance with a federal exemption granted by the United States Department of health and Human Services.

SB 1147 PN 1529 (Robbins) This bill amends Act 160 of 2006, the Social Security Number Privacy Act authorizing the collection of a Department of Transportation issued driver’s license number or non-driver identification card number as an alternative to the individual’s social security number when a Commonwealth agency or municipality electronically issues or renews a professional license, occupational license or recreational license.

COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 06/10/09

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 and reported the following measures to the full Senate by a unanimous 11-0 vote.

As Committed

SB 621, PN 710 (Folmer) This bill would prohibit the Commonwealth from complying with the any provision of the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

SB 622, PN 711 (Wozniak) This bill outlines the purposes for which business establishments may electronically swipe Pennsylvania drivers licenses such as verification of age or authenticity of the license.  The bill further prohibits the retention and or use of driver’s license information by businesses for any purpose other than that provided for in the act.  

SB 623, PN 712 (Kitchen) This bill would regulate the use and collection of biometric data by government agencies in Pennsylvania. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 03/18/09

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on March 18, 2009 and reported the following bills to the Senate Floor by a unanimous 11-0 vote.

As committed

SB 123 (Gordner)  This bill provides for the protection of consumers from having spyware deceptively installed on their computers and for criminal and civil enforcement.

SB 155  (Pileggi)   This bill amends the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act, providing for the notification of a breach of computerized data within a state agency or political subdivision within seven days following discovery of the breach and for investigation by the Attorney General.