Bill > S269

This bill aims to improve coordination between federal and state agencies and the Do Not Pay working system (a government program designed to prevent improper payments) by modifying the Social Security Act. Specifically, the bill requires the Commissioner of Social Security to provide death information to the Do Not Pay working system to help prevent improper payments and support recovery of improperly paid benefits. The bill establishes that the Commissioner and the Do Not Pay agency must agree on a methodology for sharing state death data costs. Additionally, the bill introduces a stricter standard for recording deaths, mandating that the Commissioner can only record a death if there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased. The bill also requires the Commissioner to notify agencies about errors in death records if such errors are discovered through cooperative arrangements. These changes are set to take effect on December 27, 2026, and are intended to reduce instances of improper payments to deceased individuals by improving data sharing and verification processes between government agencies.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/269/all-info