A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT prohibiting the release of an individual's social security number without the individual's consent.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3F of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143‑64.61.  Consent to release social security numbers required.
(a)	Except as specifically provided by subsection (b) of this section, no State or local government agency may release an individual's social security number without the individual's express consent.
(b)	An individual's social security number may be released without an individual's express consent if the release is made pursuant to a State or federal law that specifically requires the disclosure."
SECTION 2.  The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to read:
"Chapter 99F.
"Privacy of Social Security Numbers.
"§ 99F‑1.  Privacy of social security numbers.
(a)	Except as specifically provided by subsection (b) of this section, no person may release an individual's social security number without the individual's express consent.
(b)	An individual's social security number may be released without an individual's express consent if the release is made pursuant to a State or federal law that specifically requires the disclosure.
(c)	Any individual who is damaged on account of a violation of this Chapter may bring an action for actual damages against the person who unlawfully released the individual's social security number."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2005.