SMYRNA - State Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) has authored legislation that would allow for identity fraud against businesses to be prosecuted. Golick said the law is written so that only identity fraud perpetrated against individuals can be prosecuted.

"Current law allows prosecution for violations of the law against an 'individual.' A business is not an 'individual' under the law. A business is a 'person' under state law. Therefore, by changing the applicable term from 'individual' to 'person' the state can prosecute this crime regardless of whether it is perpetrated against an individual or a business," Golick said.

Golick's legislation, House Bill 1016, which was cosponsored by state Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), was approved by the House this week in a vote of 167-0.

"As we all know, identity fraud is becoming a bigger and bigger problem every day in this age of technology," Golick said. "We need to do everything we can, especially in this economy, to protect small businesses from this very destructive crime."

The bill is supported by both Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens and state Rep. Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna), who are running for the office of attorney general this year.

"As someone who's led on issues of identity theft, I know that while the victim is usually an individual, it can also be a business or corporation," Teilhet said. "It's important that these entities have the full protection of the law."

Golick said the bill is also supported by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Small Business and the District Attorneys Association of Georgia.