Amendments
SAMDT 3912September 19, 2025
I'll give you the short version of this bill.
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Amends subsection (r) of 42 U.S.C. 405 by replacing paragraph (11) with new text requiring the Commissioner of Social Security to provide certain information to the agency operating the Do Not Pay working system and to enter into an agreement covering proportional share of State death data costs; adds a new paragraph (12) limiting when the Commissioner may record a death; and amends paragraph (7) to add a new subparagraph (C) requiring notification to cooperative agencies of errors.
Strikes existing paragraph (11) of 205(r) and inserts a new paragraph (11), and adds a new paragraph (12), changing how Social Security death information is shared and setting a standard for recording deaths for records provided under the section.
Modifies 205(r)(7) by adjusting punctuation at the end of subparagraphs (A) and (B) and adding a new subparagraph (C) requiring notification of certain agencies when an individual is incorrectly identified as deceased.
Requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to share death-record data with the agency that operates the Do Not Pay working system, to enter an agreement about cost-sharing for state death data, and to notify cooperating agencies when an individual was incorrectly recorded as deceased. It also bars the SSA from recording a person as deceased unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the person is dead, creating stronger safeguards before benefits or payments are stopped and enabling recovery/prevention of improper payments.
Introduced January 28, 2025 by John Neely Kennedy · Last progress February 10, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
President of the United States
Became Public Law No: 119-77.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.