Key Hawai'i legislators said proposed laws aimed at combating "explosive" growth in identity theft crimes stand a good chance of passage.

The proposed laws are modeled after those in other states that require businesses to notify victims when data is stolen and allow people to "freeze" credit reports.

Lawmakers have submitted at least 29 bills dealing with identity theft.

At a briefing in the state Capitol yesterday, state Deputy Attorney General Christopher Young said identity theft is the fastest-growing crime nationally.

State Sen. Ron Menor, D-17th (Mililani, Waipi'o), head of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing Committee, said he would support legislation aimed at curbing the crime. Sen. Carol Fukunaga, D-11th (Makiki, Pawa'a), head of the Senate Media, Arts, Science and Technology Committee, said she believed that the outlook for several of the bills is good.

ID theft "may be reaching a crisis situation," Menor said.

Honolulu Police Department Detective Chris Duque said about 400 reports of identity theft are received each month. The true number could be higher because the crime is probably underreported by victims.

"The numbers that are reported, I think, are the tip of the proverbial iceberg," said attorney Marvin Dang, who was part of a state task force on identity theft.

Among the proposed legislation are measures to require notification of victims when governments and businesses suffer security breaches of vital consumer information. At least 22 other states have such a law, said Stephen Levins, state Office of Consumer Protection director.

Lawmakers also want a statute, found in 12 other states, that lets consumers freeze the release without their consent of information held by credit reporting agencies. That would help prevent identity thieves from applying for credit cards and loans without a victim's knowledge.

Other measures would prohibit some public agencies from allowing public inspection of documents containing Social Security numbers and require businesses that keep sensitive consumer information from disclosing it publicly. They also would need to take proper steps in disposing of the information.

Possessing someone else's confidential information would also be a crime under certain circumstances and there would be more money for community education under the measures.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.