Public Law 115-59 | Public Law 115–59: To restrict the inclusion of social security account numbers on Federal documents sent by mail, and for other purposes.

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PUBLIC LAW 115–59—SEPT. 15, 2017

131 STAT. 1152

Public Law

115–59

115th Congress

An Act

To restrict the inclusion of social security account numbers on Federal documents sent by mail, and for other purposes.

Sept. 15, 2017

[H.R. 624]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act

of 2017.

42 USC 405 note.

SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “

Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017

”.

SEC. 2.

RESTRICTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ON DOCUMENTS SENT BY MAIL.

(a)

Determination.

Restriction.—

An agency may not include the social security account number of an individual on any document sent by mail unless the head of the agency determines that the inclusion of the social security account number on the document is necessary.

(b)

Deadline.

Regulations.—

Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each CFO Act agency shall issue regulations specifying the circumstances under which inclusion of a social security account number on a document sent by mail is necessary. Such regulations shall include—

(1)

instructions for the partial redaction of social security account numbers where feasible; and

(2)

a requirement that social security account numbers not be visible on the outside of any package sent by mail.

(c)

Report.—

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth-year anniversary of such date of enactment, the head of each CFO Act agency shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and any other appropriate authorizing committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, a report on the implementation of subsection (a) that includes the following:

(1)

The title and identification number of any document used by the CFO Act agency during the previous year that includes the complete social security account number of an individual.

(2)

Plan.

For the first report submitted, a plan that describes how the CFO Act agency will comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(3)

For the final report submitted, the title and identification number of each document used by the CFO Act agency 131 STAT. 1153 for which the head of the agency has determined, in accordance with regulations issued pursuant to subsection (b), that the inclusion of a social security account number on such document is necessary, and the rationale for such determination.

(4)

Update.

For any other report that is not the first or final report submitted, an update on the implementation of the plan described under paragraph (2).

(d)

Definitions.—

In this section:

(1)

Agency.—

The term “

agency

” has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, but includes an establishment in the legislative or judicial branch of the Government (except the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Architect of the Capitol, and any activities under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol).

(2)

CFO act agency.—

The term “

CFO Act agency

” means the agencies listed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 901(b) of title 31, United States Code.

(e)

Effective Date.—

Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any document sent by mail on or after the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Approved September 15, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 624:

HOUSE REPORTS: ┐No. 115–150, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):

May 24, considered and passed House.

Sept. 6, considered and passed Senate.

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