H.R. 1078: Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2005-03-03 · Commerce · Latest: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2005-03-03 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006

Plain summary

Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make it unlawful for any person to sell or purchase a Social Security number in a manner that violates a regulation promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Directs the FTC to promulgate regulations restricting the sale and purchase of such numbers and any unfair or deceptive acts or practices involved in such a sale or purchase. Requires such regulations to be no broader than necessary to: (1) provide reasonable assurance that Social Security numbers will not be used to commit or facilitate fraud, deception, or crime; and (2) prevent an undue risk of bodily, emotional, or financial harm to individuals. Requires such regulations also to include exceptions which permit the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers to the extent necessary for: (1) law enforcement, national security, and public health purposes; (2) research conducted for the purpose of advancing public knowledge, subject to certain conditions; and (3) legitimate consumer credit verification, if the numbers used are redacted in accordance with uniform redaction standards established by the FTC in such regulations. Requires exceptions also for the sale and purchase of such numbers to the extent: (1) necessary in emergency situations to protect the health or safety of one or more individuals; and (2) consistent with an individual's voluntary and affirmative written consent to the sale or purchase of his or her number. Prescribes enforcement requirements. Authorizes states to bring civil actions on behalf of state residents in a U.S. district court to: (1) enjoin an act or practice; (2) enforce compliance with the regulation; (3) obtain civil penalties in an amount of $11,000 per violation, up to a total of $5 million; or (4) obtain other appropriate legal and equitable relief. Allows the U.S. Attorney General to institute a criminal proceeding for a violation of this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7] · 24 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1078, Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006 (2006-08-17); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1078, Social Security Number Protection Act of 2006 (2006-08-17)

Cosponsors on this site

Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7] reported raising $6.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109hr1078.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hr>

Record fed-us-cong109-hr1078 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109