STATE OF CONNECTICUT

BY HER EXCELLENCY

M. JODI RELL

GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.  11

WHEREAS, in 2003, the Federal Trade Commission found that nearly 10 million Americans discovered they were a victim of identity theft the previous year;

WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission reports that annually in the United States businesses lose approximately $8 billion to identity theft, while nationally, individual consumers suffer $5 billion in losses from the effects of identity theft;

WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that each year between 500,000 to 700,000 additional Americans, including Connecticut residents, become the victims of identity theft, making such thefts the nation’s fastest growing crime;

WHEREAS, for the fifth consecutive year, identity theft continues to top the list of complaints by consumers to federal authorities;

WHEREAS, the recent accounts of dishonest credit reporting services and the careless treatment of personal financial information have highlighted the need to better protect Connecticut’s residents, businesses and financial institutions from the effects of identity theft; and

Whereas, the effects of identity theft may have devastating and lasting effects on the economy of Connecticut, as well as on the financial circumstances of individuals, families and businesses who are the victims of identity theft.

Now, therefore, I, Governor M. Jodi Rell, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Connecticut do hereby ORDER and DECLARE:

1.         The establishment of the Governor’s Identity Theft Advisory Board (the “Advisory Board”).

2.         The Advisory Board shall survey the current federal and state criminal and civil laws regarding identity theft and the protection of personal financial information and determine what additional laws, regulations, policies and procedures should be enacted to protect Connecticut’s citizens, businesses and financial institutions from the effects of identity theft.

3.         In the performance of its duties, the Advisory Board shall specifically consider and address the ways in which the State of Connecticut can better educate the general public on matters involving identity theft and the protection of personal financial information.

4.         The Advisory Board shall report to the Governor no later than January 1, 2006 with its recommendations to improve Connecticut’s current laws, regulations, policies and procedures to: 1) prevent Connecticut’s citizens, businesses and financial institutions from becoming the victims of identity theft; 2) promote the security and privacy of personal financial information; 3) minimize the effects of identify theft on those who become victims; and 4) assist in the identification, apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators of identify theft.

5.         The Commissioner of the State Department of Public Safety shall be the Chairman of the Advisory Board.  The members of the Advisory Board shall include the:

a.         The Commissioner of the State Department of Consumer Protection or his designee;

                        b.         The Chief State’s Attorney or his designee;

                        c.         The Commissioner of the State Department of Insurance or her designee;

                        d.         The Commissioner of the State Department of Banking or her designee;

e.         The Commissioner of the State Department of Public Safety or his designee;

f.          The Chief Information Officer of the State of Connecticut or her designee;

g.         The State Victim Advocate;

                        h.         A representative from the Insurance and Financial Services Cluster;

                        i.          A representative from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association;

j.          One member of the public appointed by the Governor who has been the victim of identity theft; and

k.         One member of the public appointed by the Governor who is the owner of a small business.

6.         The Chairman shall convene the first meeting of the Advisory Board no later than October 15, 2005 and shall thereafter meet regularly at a place designated by the Chairman to effectuate the purposes of this Order.

7.         For purposes of funding its activities, the Advisory Board may, as necessary or permitted, in accordance with applicable law and to the extent available:  (1) apply for grants from governmental or other sources; (2) accept and expend such grants on behalf of the State of Connecticut through the Office of Policy and Management or such state agencies; or (3) operate within the existing appropriations of participating state agencies. 

8.         This Order shall be effective immediately. 

Dated at Hartford, Connecticut, this 26th day of September 2005.

M. JODI RELL

Governor