Passed on 2026-02-10
Bill · 119th Congress · S 269
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Refreshed 3 h ago
Introduced 2025-01-28Topic: social servicesSummary
Summary by the Congressional Research ServiceEnding Improper Payments to Deceased People Act This act permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help prevent and recover improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). The act also establishes evidentiary requirements the SSA must meet before identifying an individual as deceased. Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The act makes this requirement permanent. Treasury must enter into an agreement with the SSA related to Treasury's share of the cost of state death data. The act also prohibits the SSA from recording a death in the master file unless the SSA has clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased. If an individual is incorrectly identified as deceased and provides the SSA with supporting documentation, the SSA may notify certain agencies that have access to the master file, including Treasury and federal or state agencies that provide or disburse federally funded benefits.
Sponsors
- John Kennedy Republican sponsor
- 5 cosponsors
Action history
| Date | Chamber | Action | Status effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-10 | Became Public Law No: 119-77. | enact | |
| 2026-02-10 | Became Public Law No: 119-77. | enact | |
| 2026-02-10 | Signed by President. | ||
| 2026-02-10 | Signed by President. | enact | |
| 2026-02-03 | House | Presented to President. | sent to executive |
| 2026-02-03 | Presented to President. | sent to executive | |
| 2026-01-12 | House | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | |
| 2026-01-12 | House | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634) | |
| 2026-01-12 | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634) | floor pass | |
| 2026-01-12 | House | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269. | |
| 2026-01-12 | House | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637) | |
| 2026-01-12 | House | Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | |
| 2025-10-10 | House | Held at the desk. | |
| 2025-10-10 | House | Received in the House. | |
| 2025-10-08 | Senate | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | |
| 2025-09-19 | Senate | Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798) | |
| 2025-09-19 | Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. | floor pass | |
| 2025-09-19 | Senate | Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798) | report |
| 2025-09-19 | Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. | report | |
| 2025-07-30 | Senate | Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | refer |
| 2025-01-28 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. | refer |
| 2025-01-28 | Introduced in Senate | introduce |