ST. PAUL, Minn. — An act which would introduce industry card security standards into state law has passed the Minnesota House of Representatives, according to the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the industry trade association which backs the bill.

"This is one of the most important pieces of consumer legislation moving through the legislature this session, and I am pleased that members of the House agree," said MnCUN CEO Mark Cummins. "Minnesota consumers deserve to have their card data handled in a secure, responsible manner."

The 104-27 vote came on the heels of an article in the Wall Street Journal which identified a Marshall's store in St. Paul, Minn. as the point where hackers managed to breach the TJX Corporation's database. TJX is the parent company for Marshall's and a number of other retail chains. The breach has compromised millions of cards and led to millions of card accounts having to be closed and reissued.