Legislators have renewed the effort to provide lifetime protection for those impacted by the 2015 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data breach. On February 5, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Reducing the Effects on OPM Victims Emergency Response Act (H.R. 7236).

Victims of the data breach have received identity theft protection and credit monitoring since shortly after the breach was detected and announced in 2015. However, that protection is set to expire in 2026. H.R. 7236 would extend lifetime identity theft protection and credit monitoring for the more than 21 million people affected.

"We got some identity protection for federal workers and contractors impacted by the data breach as a first step, but only lifetime identity protection will give these workers the peace of mind they deserve," Norton said in a statement upon introduction of H.R. 7236. "Because there is no limit to the duration on when the compromised personal information can be used, Congress must protect these federal employees and contractors in perpetuity."

H.R. 7236 is cosponsored by Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. To follow its progress, click here.