''Nasal Law'' passes in Senate, moves to conference committee

Since we often name legislation after people who inspired them (Amy's Law, Amber Alert, etc.) shouldn't this one be dubbed the "Nasal Law"?

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Ohio Senate unanimously approve a bill on Tuesday making it illegal for police to assign a real person's identity to an undercover informant or others in investigations without that person's permission.

As amended, House Bill 48 would require investigators to get written or verbal consent before using someone's personal identification, such as a driver's license, in an investigation.

From the story:

The amendment stemmed from a case in which state liquor control agents gave a college student the driver's license and Social Security number of another woman so she could pose as a stripper for a sting.

Investigators and Miami County Prosecutor Gary Nasal in 2003 targeted the Total Xposure strip bar near Troy in western Ohio.

Nasal said the ploy was legal because a change in Ohio's law the previous year. The law allows police to use a person's identity within the context of an investigation, he said.

The tactics were justified because authorities managed to close the club, Nasal said.

The language the Senate added was in response to the case, Sen. Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican, said.

The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating the use of Dawson's identification, which included her Social Security number.

The anti-identity theft bill has already been approved by the House, but House members must now consider the changes made in the Senate. It is expected that the House will concur, and send the "Nasal Law" to Governor Taft.

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