BILL NO. 456
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2024
Private Member's Bill
Consumer Reporting Act
(amended)
Gary Burrill
Halifax Chebucto
First Reading: March 28, 2024
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Explanatory Note
This Bill amends the Consumer Reporting Act to allow consumers to place security freezes on their files with consumer reporting agencies.
An Act to Amend Chapter 93
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the Consumer Reporting Act
1 Chapter 93 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Consumer Reporting Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 12 the following Section:
- 12A (1) A consumer may, in accordance with this Section and any requirements prescribed by the regulations, require a consumer reporting agency to place a security freeze on the consumer's file.
(2) A consumer who requires a security freeze under subsection (1) shall provide the consumer reporting agency with a copy of any identification prescribed by the regulations and a copy of any other identification the agency may reasonably require to verify the consumer's identity.
(3) Where the consumer has complied with subsections (1) and (2), the consumer reporting agency shall place a security freeze on the consumer's file on or before the deadline prescribed by the regulations.
(4) During the period that a security freeze on a consumer's file is in effect, the consumer reporting agency shall not disclose any credit or personal information about the consumer maintained by the agency, including any consumer scores, to any person.
(5) Where the consumer, in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the regulations, directs the consumer reporting agency to terminate the freeze, the agency shall terminate the security freeze on or before the prescribed deadline.
(6) A security freeze expires at the end of the period prescribed by the regulations, if any.
(7) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the consumer reporting agency may, in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the regulations, disclose information prescribed by the regulations about a consumer maintained by the agency to persons and entities prescribed by the regulations.
(8) Notwithstanding subsection (4), where a consumer, in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the regulations, directs a consumer reporting agency to disclose information to an identified person or entity, the agency shall disclose the information as directed and shall do so on or before any deadline prescribed by the regulations.
(9) A consumer reporting agency shall not charge the consumer a fee for placing a security freeze, terminating a security freeze or disclosing information at the direction of a consumer during a security freeze unless the agency is permitted to do so by the regulations.
(10) Where a consumer requests that a security freeze be placed on the consumer's file, the consumer reporting agency shall provide the consumer with the prescribed information and the name and phone number or email address of a person the consumer can contact for an explanation of the information.
- (ga) respecting any matter in relation to security freezes that is to be prescribed, determined or regulated by the regulations;
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