MICHAEL D.

DOVILLA
7 TH DISTRICT ______

VERN R IFFE CENTER

77 S OUTH HIGH S TREET, 13 TH F LOOR COLUMBUS, OH 43215-6111
_____

P OLICY AND LEGISLATIVE O VERSIGHT, CHAIRMAN F INANCE & APPROPRIATIONS H IGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE M ILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS

T: (614) 466-4895
_____

F: (614) 719-6957

Ohio General Assembly

House of Representatives Columbus

_____

REP07@OHIOHOUSE. GOV

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2014

Contact: Chris Ventura (614) 466-4895

Dovilla and Blair Announce Legislation Protecting Ohios Active-Duty Service Members from Identity Theft
COLUMBUSState Representatives Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Terry Blair (R-Washington Township) today announced the introduction of House Bill 471, legislation designed to protect active-duty military members and their spouses from identity theft. As a Naval intelligence officer and Iraq war veteran, I know from firsthand experience the challenges a deployment can present to service members and their families, said Rep. Dovilla. The objective of this legislation is to provide the tools for our active-duty military to combat identity theft and strengthen penalties against the perpetrators of this crime. House Bill 471 is designed to give victims the means to address the financial implications of having their identity stolen by providing an opportunity to recover damages for their losses. In addition, the legislation enhances the criminal penalties for these crimes. Identity fraud against the military is increasing in our state, said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. We appreciate working with Representatives Dovilla and Blair on this bill, which would give Ohio one of the toughest laws in the country with respect to punishing felons who commit identity fraud against our active-duty service members and their spouses. The key provisions in House Bill 471 include: Amending the current theft, securing writings by deception, and identity fraud statutes to add a felony enhancement for committing these crimes against active-duty service members and their spouses; and Amending the current identity fraud statute to add a private civil right of action for Identity Fraud victims. House Bill 471 awaits referral to the relevant House committee. -30-