Crime

The House approved a bill 132-0 on May 6 that would make reporting cases of identity theft easier for victims and prosecuting such crimes easier for prosecutors.           

Sponsored in the House by Majority Leader Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), HF821/SF980*, would allow local law enforcement agencies to take down reports of identity theft from people living or working within their jurisdiction even if the crime occurred somewhere else. Currently departments cannot take reports for crimes that occur in other jurisdictions.

"ID fraud is becoming one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the country," Paulsen said.

Members adopted an amendment to the bill, offered by Rep. Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul), which would create the crime of mail theft in Minnesota. It would impose a felony sentence of up to 3 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000 for stealing or opening mail addressed to someone else.

The Senate passed the bill April 7. Because of the amendment, the bill will return to the Senate for a vote to concur with the changes or to appoint a conference committee. Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids) sponsors the bill in that body.

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