PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island child welfare advocates are praising a new law co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin that aims to protect foster children from identity theft.
The new law includes a requirement that states run credit checks on older foster children and help resolve cases of identity theft.
The Rhode Island Foster Parents Association calls the law an "important step" in protecting foster children.
Langevin, a Democrat, cites studies showing that foster children are at greater risk of identity theft than adults of other children because their personal data passes through so many hands of strangers.
He says many foster children only find out they've been victimized when they leave foster care and try to apply for credit.
President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law last week.
