118 STAT. 3831 PUBLIC LAW 108–458—DEC. 17, 2004 may allow for reasonable exceptions from the requirement for independent verification under this subparagraph on a case by case basis in compelling circumstances; and (2) notwithstanding section 205(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(r)) and any agreement entered into there- under, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act with respect to death indicators and not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act with respect to fraud indicators, add death and fraud indicators to the social security number verification systems for employers, State agencies issuing driver’s licenses and identity cards, and other verification routines that the Commissioner determines to be appropriate. (b) INTERAGENCY SECURITY TASK FORCE.—The Commissioner of Social Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall form an interagency task force for the purpose of further improving the security of social security cards and numbers. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the task force shall establish, and the Commissioner shall provide for the implementation of, security requirements, including— (1) standards for safeguarding social security cards from counterfeiting, tampering, alteration, and theft; (2) requirements for verifying documents submitted for the issuance of replacement cards; and (3) actions to increase enforcement against the fraudulent use or issuance of social security numbers and cards. (c) ENUMERATION AT BIRTH.— (1) IMPROVEMENT OF APPLICATION PROCESS.—As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commis- sioner of Social Security shall undertake to make improvements to the enumeration at birth program for the issuance of social security account numbers to newborns. Such improvements shall be designed to prevent— (A) the assignment of social security account numbers to unnamed children; (B) the issuance of more than 1 social security account number to the same child; and (C) other opportunities for fraudulently obtaining a social security account number. (2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall transmit to each House of Congress a report specifying in detail the extent to which the improvements required under paragraph (1) have been made. (d) STUDY REGARDING PROCESS FOR ENUMERATION AT BIRTH.— (1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall conduct a study to determine the most efficient options for ensuring the integrity of the process for enumeration at birth. This study shall include an examination of available methods for reconciling hospital birth records with birth reg- istrations submitted to agencies of States and political subdivi- sions thereof and with information provided to the Commis- sioner as part of the process for enumeration at birth. (2) REPORT.— Deadline. Establishment. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00365 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
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