MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES BILL TO INCREASE COMPUTER THEFT CHARGES Session Daily - Crime - Minnesota House of Representatives:

Computer theft charge Published (3/19/2007)

A plan to toughen a penalty for computer theft has been booted up.

If a computer of any value is stolen that contains any identity information about the user or any other person, the thief would face a felony charge, under HF1053, sponsored by Rep. Dave Olin (DFL-Thief River Falls).

“As we’re mostly aware, the computers nowadays probably inadvertently have Social Security numbers and all sorts of other things,” Olin said. “This would make it a felony because that computer may be able to be used in identity thefts efforts elsewhere by getting that information.”

Approved by the House Labor and Consumer Protection Division, the bill next goes to the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

A representative from the attorney general's office said it is his understanding that the bill would also address personal digital assistants, such as a BlackBerry® or other handheld devices.

A companion bill, SF727, sponsored by Sen. Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley), was held over March 7 by the Senate Public Safety Budget Division for omnibus bill consideration.