A new bill introduced Tuesday at the Ohio Statehouse would allow Ohioans more direct control of their credit history.

Monroe Peeler was a victim of identity theft four years ago when he received a $3,000 utility bill in his name that wasn't his. He said he knew the battle was just starting and the paper trail continued to grow as he tried to clear his name.

"I've worked really hard to keep this report clean and to see this report, it caught me off guard," Peeler said.

Peeler and several Ohio lawmakers helped introduce Senate Bill 6 at the Statehouse. If passed, the bill would give Ohioans more power if they fall victim to identity theft.

"We think it's critical that people be responsible for their own credit and have the tools that they need to be responsible," said Sen. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond.

Senate Bill 6 would allow Ohio residents to automatically freeze their credit report history if they suspect they've become a victim of identity theft. It would also establish tougher penalties for those convicted of identity crimes.

The bill would limit the amount of a person's information, such as social security numbers, that could be released to government agencies and businesses.

Local police would also get more funding to stop identity theft suspects at a faster pace.

"As long as you are going for that goal of protection of consumers, that's the important thing," Peeler said. "I'm encouraged when I see what they're doing."

Currently, 25 other states have credit freeze plans in place to keeps others from opening credit in another person's name without permission.

Senate Bill 6 will be voted on later this year after more hearings and could be on the books by the end of the year.

Reported by John Fortney