Juneau -- The Alaska House passed legislation Friday making it a crime to use someone else's identity, and makes it a crime to use a false identity for criminal purposes. Senate Bill 259, sponsored by Senator Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell), also addresses crimes involving computers and the use of new recording technology to exploit children.

"As Alaska enters the next century, it has become apparent that computers are a quick and easy way for criminals to cause problems for individuals, merchants and corporations," added Taylor. "SB 259 takes a 'mega-byte' out of computer crime by making it illegal to gain access to a computer without permission, to steal information or funds from a computer, or to cause damage to the information contained on a computer system."

Senate Bill 259 defines criminal impersonation and associated crimes, and establishes guidelines for first and second degree criminal impersonation. The bill also outlines the severity of criminal impersonation offenses based on monetary gain, and makes it a crime to obtain credit cards by using false identification information. The definition of impersonation includes possessing and using identification documents or access devices without the permission of the person they belong to, and pretending to be a representative of a person or organization to receive benefits to which the perpetrator is not entitled.

"This bill covers a broad spectrum of problems caused by individuals misrepresenting who they really are," said Taylor. "SB 259 would cover minors who use a fake ID to purchase alcohol and tobacco products, individuals who steal from local merchants by using stolen credit cards, and people who use electronic means to ruin another person's financial history."

A separate element added to SB 259 adds the use of electronic recording to the existing child exploitation laws to match current and hopefully future technology, such as computers, video and audio discs.

Following a vote of reconsideration, SB 259 will return to the Senate for concurrence on House changes.

Sponsor Statement for SB 259

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