SB489 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Identity theft, crime of, definition to include gaining employment through use of another person's identity, penalties increased, Sec. 13A-8-192 am'd.

Summary

SB489 would expand identity theft to include obtaining someone else’s identity to gain employment and raise the offense from a Class C to a Class B felony.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill adds 'obtaining employment through the use of identifying information' to the ways identity theft can occur and increases the penalty to a Class B felony. It also keeps a seven-year window for prosecuting such offenses. Additionally, it states the bill is exempt from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Identity theft victims, who could have their identities used to gain employment, with stronger penalties for offenders
• Potential offenders, who would face a higher felony charge (Class B) and longer consequences for identity theft

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-8-192 to include obtaining employment through the victim's identifying information as identity theft
• Raises the crime's classification from Class C felony to Class B felony
• Maintains a seven-year statute of limitations for prosecuting identity theft offenses
• Explicitly states the bill is excluded from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it creates/defines a new crime and sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses