HR5348-119

What This Bill Does

The Social Security Child Protection Act amends section 205 of the Social Security Act. If a Social Security account number was issued to a child under age 14 and the child's card was lost or stolen while being transmitted, a parent or guardian may submit evidence to the Commissioner of Social Security under penalty of perjury showing that the number's confidentiality was compromised. When that showing is made, the Commissioner must issue the child a new Social Security number and record the information received about the loss or theft in the child's SSA records. The amendment takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Who Benefits and How

Children under 14, parents of affected children, guardians of affected children, child identity-theft victims, families whose mailed Social Security cards were lost, families whose mailed Social Security cards were stolen, and consumer-protection advocates benefit because the bill creates a statutory path to replace a compromised child SSN before identity thieves can keep using the original number.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Social Security Administration field offices, SSA number-assignment staff, SSA records staff, the Commissioner of Social Security, parents filing evidence, guardians filing evidence, and mailing-system investigators bear compliance burdens because they must receive sworn evidence, determine whether confidentiality was compromised, issue a new number, and record the loss or theft information.

Key Provisions

• Requires SSA to issue a new Social Security number to a child under 14 when a card lost or stolen in transmission compromises confidentiality.
• Requires evidence submitted by a parent or guardian under penalty of perjury.
• Requires the Commissioner to determine whether the evidence demonstrates compromise.
• Requires SSA to record pertinent information about the lost or stolen card in the child's records.
• Applies the new authority 180 days after enactment.