Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025
Summary
The Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 aims to amend Title II of the Social Security Act. It focuses on reissuing Social Security account numbers to children under 14 when their confidentiality has been compromised due to loss or theft of their Social Security card.
The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Social Security issue a new number upon evidence submitted by a parent or guardian under penalty of perjury. This change seeks to protect children from potential identity theft.
The Act will take effect 180 days after its enactment.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase administrative workload for the Social Security Administration. It will also provide a mechanism for families to protect their children from identity theft related to compromised social security numbers.
It may also lead to increased public confidence in the security of children's social security information. This is due to the proactive measure of reissuing numbers when confidentiality is breached.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a mechanism to protect children from identity theft.
- Increases security for sensitive personal information.
- Offers peace of mind to parents and guardians.
- Potentially reduces the long-term impact of identity theft on children's credit and financial well-being.
- Addresses a specific vulnerability in the Social Security system.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on the Social Security Administration.
- Potential for fraudulent claims requiring additional verification processes.
- Costs associated with reissuing Social Security numbers and updating records.
- Possible delays in processing Social Security benefits due to increased workload.
- The 180-day delay before implementation could leave children vulnerable in the interim.
Constitutional Alignment
The Social Security Act falls under the purview of Congress's power to provide for the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble of the US Constitution. Specifically, this act aligns with Congress's authority to enact laws related to Social Security, as established through previous legislation and judicial interpretation.
While the Constitution does not explicitly address Social Security numbers or identity theft, the Act's intent to protect children aligns with the broader constitutional principles of ensuring domestic tranquility and promoting the general welfare.
There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions, assuming the implementation respects due process and equal protection under the law.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).