Texas House Bill HB2256

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/4/11
• Out of House Committee: 4/21/11
• Voted on by House: 5/4/11
• Refer: 3/10/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/20/11
• Report Pass: 4/18/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/11
• Engrossed: 5/4/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/5/11
• Report Pass: 5/20/11
• Enrolled: 5/27/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to abating or deferring the suspension or revocation of a license issued by the Department of Public Safety for victims of identity theft.

Impact

If enacted, HB2256 will amend Chapter 411 of the Government Code by adding specific provisions that protect victims of identity theft from the automatic consequences of license suspensions or revocations that stem from criminal actions taken by someone else. This adds a layer of protection for individuals who may find themselves unjustly penalized because their identity was misused, allowing them the opportunity to contest such actions and maintain their legal licenses.

Summary

House Bill 2256 aims to address the challenges faced by victims of identity theft in relation to the suspension or revocation of licenses issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The bill proposes that the DPS has the authority to abate or defer the suspension or revocation of a license if the individual can satisfactorily demonstrate that they have been a victim of identity theft. The notion behind this provision is to alleviate the penalties that victims may face due to offenses committed without their knowledge or consent.

Conclusion

Ultimately, HB2256 represents a proactive legislative step to protect citizens who have fallen victim to identity crimes. By allowing for the deferral of punitive measures associated with identity theft, the bill emphasizes the importance of victim support and the mitigating of unintended consequences that can arise from fraud. It will be important for legislators and the DPS to monitor the implementation of this bill to ensure that it achieves its objective without creating loopholes or additional burdens on law enforcement.

Contention

The bill does not enter into particularly heated territory, but it reflects a growing concern over identity theft and its repercussions on individuals' rights and livelihoods. While it generally garners support for protecting victims, there is always the potential for debate about the effectiveness of such measures and the burdens placed on the DPS to ascertain the legitimacy of claims made by victims. A notable consideration is ensuring that the criteria for what constitutes satisfactory evidence of identity theft are well-defined to prevent misuse of the provisions.