NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation, and some lawmakers said it's time to do a better job protecting people from becoming victims.

Video: Lawmakers Look To Control Costs Of ID Theft

Public officials are looking into how to control the costs that it takes to clean up the mess after identities are stolen. Ten million people a year become victims of identity theft and it usually takes about $1,000 to repair the damage.

State lawmakers said they want to prohibit credit freeze fees if a person's identity is stolen.

"If there's evidence that someone has been victimized by identity theft, then the last thing we need to do is punish them further by having businesses charge them fees because of the theft," said Rep. Gary Odom of Nashville.

Lawmakers are looking at ways the state can better protect personal information. They said they want to limit the way local election commissions can use Social Security numbers.

Odom said the December break-in at the Metro Election commission only highlights the need.

"If an election commission is going to collect Social Security numbers as part of the identification process for voters, that's probably OK, as long as steps are taken to protect those numbers," said Odom.

In addition, lawmakers are looking to mandate strict safeguards and procedures for all personal information stored on laptops or other removable drives.

Under that plan, if those safeguards fail and someone becomes a victim of identity theft, that person could receive damages from the state, county or city.

As of early March, none of these bills have passed both chambers.