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H.R.2229 / 113th Congress

Safeguarding Social Security Numbers Act of 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 3, 2013

Safeguarding Social Security Numbers Act of 2013 - Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to issue uniform standards for the method for: (1) truncation of Social Security account numbers in order to facilitate their protection from use in fraud or identity theft, and (2) encryption (or other method of securing) of those numbers transmitted by means of the Internet.

Applies such standards to the federal government whenever it: (1) displays a Social Security account number; and (2) transfers, records, or otherwise utilizes such a number.

Prohibits a state, a local government, or any of their officers, employees, or contractors from displaying to the general public on the Internet all or any portion of any Social Security account number, except in compliance with such truncation and encryption standards or if the number belongs to a deceased individual. Prescribes a civil monetary penalty of up to $5,000 per day for violation of this prohibition.

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Directs the Attorney General to award grants to state and local governments to carry out activities to remove, redact, or truncate, in accordance with the uniform standards, all Social Security account numbers on forms and records of their executive, legislative, and judicial agencies that would be displayed to the general public on the Internet in violation of this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15] · R–FL

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2229 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2229 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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