The Information Protection Act of 2015, SB 106 sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, was discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The committee adopted a substitute and carried the bill over to give members time to study its provisions.
The bill would require specified entities, mainly businesses but also government entities and third-party agents, to notify the Attorney General and the individual owners of personal information if a data breach occurs.
When the bill was introduced, concerns over certain provisions were raised by BCA and members of the business community. Cyber-security and the protection of customer data is very important to both the private and public sector. It is just as important to avoid imposing overly burdensome regulations on business owners, especially small businesses, which are already struggling to comply with costly federal, state, and local regulations. The bill includes business penalties for violation.
BCA is opposed to the current version of this legislation.
SB 106 is expected to be considered again in the Senate Judiciary Committee next week. BCA will continue to work with members of the business community and the legislature on this bill.
Other Bills of Interest
SB 55 by Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Daphne, would prohibit changes to rules promulgated by state agencies for a period of 10 years.
SB 134 by Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, would prohibit an employer from inquiring into or considering a job applicant's conviction history for consideration of a job until after the applicant has received a conditional job offer, except when a conviction is directly related to the position of employment sought.
Courtesy of the Business Council of Alabama
