HB5348, the Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025, would amend the Social Security Act to require the Social Security Administration to issue a new Social Security number to a child under age 14 when the child’s Social Security card has been lost or stolen and the confidentiality of the number has been compromised during transmission. The bill applies only when a parent or guardian submits evidence, under penalty of perjury, that the card was lost or stolen and the Commissioner of Social Security determines the evidence is sufficient.
The bill also requires the SSA to make a record of the relevant loss-or-theft information in the child’s file. The change would take effect 180 days after enactment, giving the agency time to implement the new process. The measure passed the House and was then received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 205(c)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act, creating a new mandatory process for reissuing Social Security account numbers to young children in specified confidentiality-breach cases. It would affect the Social Security Administration’s procedures for handling compromised cards, recordkeeping, and identity-protection responses for minors under 14, while also affecting parents and guardians who must provide sworn evidence of loss or theft.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House by a unanimous 384-0 vote under suspension of the rules, suggesting strong agreement that the measure addresses a child-protection and identity-security concern. No committee transcript is available in the provided materials, and the Senate referral indicates the bill was still in the legislative process at the time of the record.
Contention
The main policy question is whether reissuing Social Security numbers is the best remedy when a child’s card is lost or stolen, since changing a number can create administrative burdens and long-term recordkeeping issues. Any concern would likely center on the evidentiary standard for proving loss or theft, the risk of misuse or fraudulent claims, and the SSA’s ability to manage the new process efficiently. However, the vote history suggests these concerns did not generate significant opposition in the House.