On May 25, 2023, Representative Brad Wenstrup (R, OH-02) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D, OR-03) introduced H.R. 3667, the Social Security Child Protection Act. In addition to its original sponsors, H.R. 3667 has three Republican cosponsors. A companion to this bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate. A markup on H.R. 3784 was held in the Ways and Means Committee on June 7, 2023, and the bill was voted out of committee unanimously on the same day.

This legislation would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide a new Social Security Number (SSN) to children under the age of 14 when their SSN card is compromised when being mailed. NOSSCR supports this bill.

Bill Details

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023”.

SEC. 2. REISSUANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT NUMBERS TO YOUNG CHILDREN IN CASES WHERE CONFIDENTIALITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.

(a) In General.—Section 205(c)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(B)) is amended—

(1) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and

(2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause:

“(iii) In any case in which a social security account number has been issued to a child who has not attained the age of 14 pursuant to subclause (IV) or (V) of clause (i) and it is demonstrated by evidence, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security, and submitted under penalty of perjury to the Commissioner by a parent or guardian of the child that in the course of transmission of the social security card to the child, the confidentiality of such number has been compromised by reason of theft of such social security card, the Commissioner shall issue a new social security account number to such child and make note in the records maintained with respect to such child of the pertinent information received by the Commissioner regarding the theft of the social security card.”.

(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.