1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not willfully and intentionally post or display in any public manner the social security number of another person unless the person is authorized or required to do so by specific federal or state law or regulation.

2. This section does not:

(a) Prevent the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes.

(b) Apply to documents that are recorded or required to be open to the public pursuant to federal or state law or regulation.

3. Unless a greater penalty is provided by specific statute, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

4. A person whose social security number has been willfully and intentionally posted or displayed in violation of this section may bring a civil cause of action against the person who commits such a violation. The court may award actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the person whose social security number has been willfully and intentionally posted or displayed in violation of this section.

5. As used in this section:

(a) “Person” includes a government, governmental agency or political subdivision of a government.

(b) “Post or display in any public manner” means to communicate or otherwise make available to the general public. The term includes, without limitation:

(1) Printing the social security number of another person on any card required for the other person to access products or services provided by the person or entity printing the social security number.

(2) Requiring another person to transmit his or her social security number over the Internet, unless the connection is secure or the social security number is encrypted.

(3) Requiring another person to use his or her social security number to access an Internet website, unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the Internet website.

(4) Printing the social security number of another person on any material that is mailed to the person, if the social security number is visible to the public.

(Added to NRS by 2011, 2608)