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H.B. 364

             1     

RIGHT OF IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM TO

             2     
CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION

             3     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Julie Fisher

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill creates a civil action for damages for an identity theft victim against a
             11      perpetrator.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    allows an identity theft victim to bring an action against a perpetrator;
             15          .    sets out limits on the recovery of damages; and
             16          .    designates a statute of limitations for a civil action for damages.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          78B-2-305, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             24      ENACTS:
             25          78B-6-1701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             26     
             27      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:


             28          Section 1. Section 78B-2-305 is amended to read:
             29           78B-2-305. Within three years.
             30          An action may be brought within three years:
             31          (1) for waste, trespass upon, or injury to real property; except that when waste or
             32      trespass is committed by means of underground works upon any mining claim, the cause of
             33      action does not accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the
             34      waste or trespass;
             35          (2) for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific
             36      recovery; except that in cases where the subject of the action is a domestic animal usually
             37      included in the term "livestock," which at the time of its loss has a recorded mark or brand, if
             38      the animal strayed or was stolen from the true owner without the owner's fault, the cause does
             39      not accrue until the owner has actual knowledge of facts that would put a reasonable person
             40      upon inquiry as to the possession of the animal by the defendant;
             41          (3) for relief on the ground of fraud or mistake; except that the cause of action does not
             42      accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake;
             43          (4) for a liability created by the statutes of this state, other than for a penalty or
             44      forfeiture under the laws of this state, except where in special cases a different limitation is
             45      prescribed by the statutes of this state; or
             46          (5) to enforce liability imposed by Section 78B-3-603 , or for damages under Section
             47      78B-6-1701 , except that the cause of action does not accrue until the aggrieved party knows or
             48      reasonably should know of the harm suffered.
             49          Section 2. Section 78B-6-1701 is enacted to read:
             50          78B-6-1701. Cause of action for identity theft.
             51          (1) A petitioner who has been injured by a violation of Section 76-6-1102 , Identity
             52      Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, may recover from the perpetrator:
             53          (a) compensatory damages in the amount of $1,000 or up to three times the amount of
             54      actual damages, whichever is greater;
             55          (b) attorney fees; and
             56          (c) court costs.
             57          (2) Actual damages may include:
             58          (a) replacement or reissuance costs for checks and any personal identification


             59      documents;
             60          (b) the value of the petitioner's time spent:
             61          (i) repairing their credit history or rating; and
             62          (ii) attending civil or administrative hearings necessary to resolve any debt, lien, or
             63      other obligation arising from the offense;
             64          (c) lost wages; and
             65          (d) any other verifiable costs the court may choose to include.
             66          (3) The court may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
             67          (4) A perpetrator who is not tried or found not guilty of a violation of Section
             68      76-6-1102 , Identity Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, may be found liable
             69      under this section if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the perpetrator
             70      participated in a violation and the petitioner was injured as a result.
             71          (5) (a) A perpetrator who is found guilty of a violation of Section 76-6-1102 , Identity
             72      Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, shall be found liable under this section.
             73          (b) If restitution was ordered in the criminal action, the amount ordered shall be
             74      deducted from any damages awarded under this section.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-11-10 4:22 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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