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2004 SESSION

045169400
HOUSE BILL NO. 543
Offered January 14, 2004
Prefiled January 13, 2004
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-3808.3, relating to use of uniquely identifying numbers on public records.
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Patron-- May
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Referred to Committee on Science and Technology
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-3808.3 as follows:

§ 2.2-3808.3. Uniquely identifying numbers appearance limited on public records.

A. For purposes of this section, “uniquely identifying number” means any alphabetic or numeric sequence, or combination thereof, that is unique and assigned to a specific natural person at that person’s request. “Uniquely identifying number” includes, but is not limited to, social security number, bank account number, credit card number, military service number and driver’s license number. However, “uniquely identifying number” shall not include any arbitrarily assigned alphabetic or numeric sequence, or combination thereof, that is assigned to a natural person for purposes of identification, in lieu of a social security number, and used for a single, specific government purpose.

B. Notwithstanding § 2.2-3802, no public record, as that term is defined in § 2.2-3701, that is created or filed after July 1, 2004, shall contain more than the last four digits of a uniquely identifying number, unless:

1. Such use is required by state or federal law; or

2. The record upon which the uniquely identifying number appears is exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) or other law. However, records that are exempt from disclosure shall not be available for general public inspection unless they have been configured to prevent the disclosure of uniquely identifying numbers contained within those records as required by this subsection.

C. Beginning July 1, 2004, no document that will become a public record, as that term is defined in § 2.2-3701, shall be accepted for filing by a public body unless the person who prepared the document or presented the document for filing certifies at the beginning or end of the document to be filed that such document complies with subsection B.

D. This section does not prohibit the collection, use or release of a uniquely identifying number as required by the laws of the Commonwealth or the United States or for internal verification or administrative purposes as allowed by the laws of the Commonwealth or the United States.