PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9225-9231)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 14, 2004
Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) specify restrictions on the sale and display to the general public of Social Security account numbers (SSNs) (or any derivatives) by Federal, State, and local governments and bankruptcy case trustees; (2) prohibit the display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on checks issued for payment by such governments, or on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations; (3) prohibit the Federal, State, or local government display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on employee identification cards or tags (IDs); (4) prohibit access to the SSNs of other individuals by prisoners employed by Federal, State, or local governments; (5) prohibit the selling, purchasing, or displaying of SSNs (with certain exceptions), or the obtaining or use of any individual's SSN to locate or identify such individual with the intent to physically injure or harm such individual or to use the individual's ID for any illegal purpose by any person; and (6) require States to require independent verification of birth records provided in support of applications for SSNs.
Subjects to the Fair Credit Reporting Act information regarding a consumer's SSN (and any derivative) (credit header information). Provides that any person who refuses to do business with an individual for refusing to disclose his or her SSN shall be considered to have committed an unfair or deceptive act or practice.
Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) make improvements to the enumeration at birth program for the issuance of Social Security account numbers to newborns; and (2) by regulation restrict the issuance of multiple replacement Social Security cards to any individual to minimize fraud.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act, and enhanced penalties in cases of terrorism, drug trafficking, crimes of violence, or prior offenses.
People & committees
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9225-9231)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9224)
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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Analyze S.2801 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.
Examine S.2801 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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