Governor Baldacci Ceremonially Signs LD 2038

May 9, 2006

CONTACT: Crystal Canney, 287-2531 (cell) 557-5968

Dan Cashman, 287-2531 (cell) 837-4821

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci ceremonially signed LD 2038 Tuesday afternoon, An Act To Protect the Privacy of Cellular Telephone Customers.

The legislation was sponsored by Representative John Brautigam, (D-Falmouth), who was on hand for the ceremonial signing.

“This is important because there are a number of people who don’t realize that their cell phone records are accessible to just about anyone,” said Governor Baldacci.

The bill protects the private records and data of cell phone users by making it illegal for data brokers to sell the information in Maine. Records from land-line use are already protected by federal law.

The bill passed as emergency legislation, meaning that the new law will has already gone into effect when Governor Baldacci officially signed the bill last month.

“This emergency legislation is especially important because the sale and disclosure of this information is happening on a daily basis and it needs to stop,” said Governor Baldacci.