The New Jersey assembly passed a bill that will hopefully make identity theft and the misuse of debit card details that much more complicated. The measure would amend previous legislation that prohibits New Jersey establishments from printing complete credit card numbers and expiration dates on sales receipts, with the exception of the last five digits on the card.

New Jersey lawmakers are now seeking to supplement the previous measure to include debit card details as well. The lone exclusion to this rule would be for sales receipts that are handwritten, and violations of the proposed measure would carry a fine of $1000 per incident.

The proposed bill was unanimously approved by the New Jersey assembly, and likewise by the state senate’s Commerce Committee. The legislation now awaits debate and approval by the entire New Jersey Senate, which Infosecurity has learned will not be on the docket before late May of this year.

“This bill is a consumer protection measure”, said New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, a Democrat from Union who is one of the bill’s sponsors. "We currently provide this protection for credit cards holders, so we should provide it for debit cards holders as well.”

“Giving today’s increased reliance on a person's credit rating as a criteria for employment, housing and car insurance, it is essential that we safeguard our residents from the possible emotional anguish and personal credit loss that occurs with identity theft”, Quijano told Infosecurity via e-mail. “Hopefully, this bill will help reduce the chances in which these transgressions occur", she added.