PANEL TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON BIPARTISAN DRAFT LEGISLATION DEVELOPED BY STEARNS, BARTON, DINGELL & SCHAKOWSKY

Washington, Jul 27, 2005 - "This hearing continues the subcommittee's important examination of data security and identity theft, and brings us closer to producing a strong legislative response to these threats to American consumers," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. "I look forward to hearing our witnesses input on the draft legislation I have developed with my colleagues."

Explained Stearns, "This draft language requires entities that hold personal information to establish and implement appropriate security policies to prevent unauthorized acquisition of consumer data; requires consumer notification in the event of a material security breach of a database; imposes special requirements on those who compile and sell consumer data to third parties; and includes preemption of similar state laws to create a uniform national standard for data security and breach notification."

The hearing, "Data Security: The Discussion Draft of Data Protection Legislation," will be held Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. in 2123 RHOB. Witnesses will include:

Ms. Fran Maier, Executive Director and President, TRUSTe;
Mr. Michael Hintze, Senior Attorney, Microsoft Corporation;
Mr. Chris Hoofnagle, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Senior Counsel & Director, West Coast Office; and
Mr. Daniel Burton, Vice President of Government Affairs, Entrust, Inc.