Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
Latest action (5 Mar 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1877, the Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act, would amend the Social Security Act to bar political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security Administration systems that contain beneficiary data, such as Social Security numbers, benefit eligibility and payment records, disability determination files, and earnings records. It would also create a civil penalty system allowing individuals to sue federal employees or other persons who negligently access or disclose their protected information, with damages set at the greater of $5,000 per violation or actual and punitive damages, plus costs and attorney's fees. The SSA Inspector General would be required to investigate violations and report to Congress within 30 days of learning of one.
The bill primarily affects Social Security beneficiaries and applicants, whose personal data would receive added legal protection, and SSA officials, political appointees, and other government employees, who would face new access restrictions and potential legal liability for improper access or disclosure. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the law's effects and submit monthly interim reports and a final report to relevant congressional committees.
The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, by Rep. John Larson and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. It has not yet been voted on in committee or by the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
This bill prohibits political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security data systems that contain personally identifiable information about Social Security beneficiaries.
Specifically, political appointees and special government employees may not access systems maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that issue or record Social Security account numbers, that are used to determine eligibility for or to pay Social Security benefits, or that otherwise contain personally identifiable information about individuals receiving or applying for benefits.
The bill also establishes a civil right of action for an individual whose information was negligently accessed or disclosed in violation of these provisions. The individual may bring suit against the United States if the violator was a U.S. employee or officer, or against the violator if they were not a U.S. employee or officer. Such a claim must be brought within two years of the affected individual’s discovery of the violation. Upon a finding of liability, defendants are liable for specified monetary damages.
If an individual is criminally charged or subject to proposed disciplinary or adverse action by a federal or state agency for having accessed or disclosed information in violation of these provisions, SSA must notify the individual whose information was accessed or disclosed of the violation as soon as practicable.
Finally, the bill requires the SSA Office of the Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized access to or disclosure of information in a beneficiary data system.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1877 do?
- H.R. 1877, the Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act, would amend the Social Security Act to bar political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security Administration systems that contain beneficiary data, such as Social Security numbers, benefit eligibility and payment records, disability determination files, and earnings records. It would also create a civil penalty system allowing individuals to sue federal employees or other persons who negligently access or disclose their protected information, with damages set at the greater of $5,000 per violation or actual and punitive damages, plus costs and attorney's fees. The SSA Inspector General would be required to investigate violations and report to Congress within 30 days of learning of one. The bill primarily affects Social Security beneficiaries and applicants, whose personal data would receive added legal protection, and SSA officials, political appointees, and other government employees, who would face new access restrictions and potential legal liability for improper access or disclosure. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the law's effects and submit monthly interim reports and a final report to relevant congressional committees. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, by Rep. John Larson and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. It has not yet been voted on in committee or by the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before taking effect.
- Has H.R. 1877 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Mar 2025, H.R. 1877 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1877?
- H.R. 1877 was sponsored by Rep. John Larson [D-CT1] (Democrat-CT), with 152 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1877?
- Introduced (5 Mar 2025).
Related bills in Social Welfare
Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
Revising SSDI Disability Classifications Act
AACCENT Act
Protecting Elders From Government Error Act
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