Mississippi House Bill HB1204

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Breach of security; require reporting to the Attorney General.

Impact

The primary impact of HB1204 is the establishment of clearer obligations for businesses regarding the notification of data breaches. By requiring businesses to report breaches to the Office of the Attorney General when more than 100 individuals are affected, the bill enhances state oversight of data breaches. This will not only serve to protect consumers but also increase accountability among businesses that handle sensitive personal information. The emphasis on prompt notification is designed to mitigate potential harm to individuals whose data may have been compromised.

Summary

House Bill 1204 aims to amend Section 75-24-29 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, enhancing the framework for reporting breaches of security that compromise personal information. The bill mandates that any person conducting business within the state and maintaining such personal information must disclose any breach to affected individuals without unreasonable delay. This change seeks to bolster consumer protections by ensuring timely communication in the event of a data breach, thus empowering residents to take steps to safeguard their personal data.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the implementation and compliance with these new requirements. Critics might argue that the bill places an undue burden on businesses, particularly small enterprises, which may not have the resources to manage extensive data breach protocols. Conversely, supporters advocate that these measures are necessary to ensure consumer trust and protect residents from the fallout of data breaches. The balance between consumer protection and economic viability for businesses will likely be a key topic of debate as the bill progresses.