The measure, introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., was approved unanimously.
The bill would help victims obtain business records related to an identity theft, facilitate the victim's correction of false records and assist law enforcement agencies obtain evidence to catch the identity thieves, Cantwell said. It also extends the amount of time for victims to file a claim once the fraud is discovered.
"Too often, victims of identity theft must become their own private investigators to clear their good name," Cantwell said. "This bill will make sure they get the records they need to protect their identities and financial security."
It was not immediately known when the full Senate would consider the bill.
A second identity theft bill, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was approved by the committee but sent to the Senate Finance Committee.
Feinstein's bill would prohibit sale or display of Social Security numbers without the owner's consent; require Social Security numbers to be removed from government checks and driver's licenses; and ban release of certain public documents without Social Security numbers removed, including death and birth certificates and tax liens.
"This legislation strikes a balance between the need for legitimate business uses of the Social Security number and the need to prevent identity theft," Sen. Feinstein said.
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