PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-165.
Congressional Research Service
Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Mar 23, 2018
Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018
TITLE I--STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT AND BENEFICIARY PROTECTION
(Sec. 101) This bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make annual grants to each state's protection and advocacy system for the purpose of conducting reviews of representative payees under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. The SSA must also conduct periodic onsite reviews of individual and organizational payees.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 102) The bill lessens certain monitoring requirements with respect to specified family members who are serving as representative payees.
(Sec. 103) The SSA must: (1) enter into agreements with each state for the purpose of sharing information to identify represented minor beneficiaries who are in foster care; and (2) determine the appropriate representative payee for any represented minor beneficiary who has entered foster care, exited foster care, or changed foster care placement in a given month.
The Government Accountability Office must report to specified congressional committees on certain issues related to represented minor beneficiaries in foster care.
(Sec. 104) The bill modifies provisions related to overpayment liability with respect to a represented minor beneficiary in foster care.
(Sec. 105) The SSA must report to specified congressional committees on certain issues related to representative payment with respect to SSI and OASDI benefits.
TITLE II--IMPROVING PAYEE SELECTION AND QUALITY
(Sec. 201) The bill provides for advance designation of representative payees.
(Sec. 202) In general, an individual who has been convicted of a felony, or of an attempt or a conspiracy to commit a felony, may not serve as a representative payee.
(Sec. 203) An individual who has a representative payee may not also serve as a representative payee.
People & committees
Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] · R–TX
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 115-165.
Became Public Law No: 115-165.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1982)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1982)
Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 0 (Roll no. 51). (text: CR H741-746)
House roll call 51 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 0 (Roll no. 51).(text: CR H741-746)
House roll call 51 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H762-763)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4547.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H741-749)
Mr. Brady (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.4547 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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