Politics
Politics

Free credit freeze bill wins final approval from Georgia Legislature

March 29, 2018 - Atlanta, Ga: Lawmakers, lobbyists, staff and other members of the public mingle outside of the House Chambers during Legislative Day 40 at the Georgia State Capitol Thursday, March 29, 2018, in Atlanta. PHOTO / JASON GETZ

Credit: Jason Getz

Credit: Jason Getz

March 29, 2018 - Atlanta, Ga: Lawmakers, lobbyists, staff and other members of the public mingle outside of the House Chambers during Legislative Day 40 at the Georgia State Capitol Thursday, March 29, 2018, in Atlanta. PHOTO / JASON GETZ
By Mark Niesse
March 30, 2018

You could soon be able to protect your credit report for free in Georgia.

The Georgia Senate voted 51-0 on Thursday to give final approval to a bill that would prevent credit reporting agencies from charging customers to lock their credit reports. A locked or frozen credit report can't be changed.

It currently costs customers up to $3 each time they want to lock or unlock their credit reports, according to state law.

The legislation, Senate Bill 376, was introduced in response to a giant data breach last year by Equifax, which exposed the personal information of at least 143 million Americans.

The bill now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature or veto.

Stay on top of what’s happening in Georgia government and politics at PoliticallyGeorgia.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Catherine Bernard, an attorney for the Georgia Republican Assembly, speaks to the State Ethics Commission during preliminary hearings on campaign finance charges Thursday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Groups tied to First Liberty accused of campaign finance violations

Two Republican groups linked to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan likely sought to illegally influence Georgia elections, the State Ethics Commission charged Thursday.

Georgia must eliminate QR codes from ballots by July. Is the state ready?

Georgia is running out of time to comply with a 2024 law requiring the removal of QR codes from ballots by July 2026 ahead of the midterm elections.

Georgia’s off-year elections show momentum and limits for progressives

In Georgia elections, the liberal wing of the Democratic Party falls short in some key races.

The Latest

Poll worker Gamble Everett prepares machines in the voting area before the polls opened on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the polling place at the Park Tavern, 500 10th Street NE in Atlanta. (John Spink/AJC)

Credit: John Spink/AJC

Georgia must eliminate QR codes from ballots by July. Is the state ready?

Georgia’s off-year elections show momentum and limits for progressives

OPINION

The 2020 election interference case is gone, but it can’t be forgotten

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.