HELENA -- Montanans may soon have a new tool to protect themselves from identity theft, officials said Tuesday.

A bill that allows consumers to block use of their credit information passed the Senate 49-0 and is on its way to Gov. Brian Schweitzer's desk. The governor's office has not said whether he will sign the bill into law. If he does, customers can start freezing their credit this summer.

"It will be a great bill for all consumers, particularly senior citizens," Attorney General Mike McGrath said.

While about 30 other states have similar laws, Montana would be the first to let victims of identity theft have their credit information frozen for free within 24 hours of reporting to police, according to Assistant Attorney General Pam Bucy.

Other consumers would have to pay a $3 fee to each of the three national credit agencies. They would be able to do so by regular mail or e-mail.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, said customers who freeze their records will be given a special pin number they can use to thaw the credit freeze when applying for new credit. The fee for thawing credit information will also be $3 per agency.

Without the pin, no new credit can be established in a customer's name, one of the most common ways stolen identities are used, Brueggeman said.

"Identity thieves will not be able to use their typical tactic," Brueggeman said.

Brueggeman's bill was one of several consumer-protection bills the attorney general's office promoted this session. Two major other pieces of legislation were tabled by the Republican-controlled House. One would have capped the interest rates on payday and title loans; another would have prevented price gouging on essential goods during emergencies.

"Overall, this has not been a good session for consumers," McGrath said.

He said a combination of industry pressure and a philosophical difference lawmakers have over the role of the government in protecting consumers have hampered his office's efforts.

The bill is Senate Bill 116.