PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 5.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 28, 2003
Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of social security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of social security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any Federal law.Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on social security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority.Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit: (1) the use of social security numbers on checks issued for payment by governmental agencies; (2) the appearance of such numbers on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registration; and (3) inmate access to social security account numbers.Prohibits a commercial entity from requiring an individual to provide a social security number when purchasing a commercial good or service or denying an individual the good or service for refusing to provide that number, with exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties.Extends civil monetary penalties for misuse of a social security number.Provides for: (1) criminal penalties under SSA title II for the misuse of a social security number; (2) civil actions and civil penalties against persons who violate this Act; and (3) Federal injunctive authority with respect to any violation by a public entity.
People & committees
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 5.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1681-1685)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1680-1681)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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