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S 1523

An Act removing social security numbers from death certificates

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge

Massachusetts bill removes Social Security numbers from death certificates to reduce identity theft risk from public records.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Rules
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Bill Summary · S 1523

Legislative bill overview

S 1523 proposes removing Social Security numbers from death certificates in Massachusetts. This would eliminate the inclusion of SSNs on official death records issued by the state, a practice currently used for identity verification and administrative purposes.

Why is this important

Death certificates are public records frequently requested by the deceased's family, attorneys, and financial institutions. Including SSNs on these widely-distributed documents creates a data security vulnerability, as death certificates can be obtained by individuals with minimal barriers, exposing sensitive identifiers to potential misuse and identity theft.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Removing SSNs may complicate verification processes for Social Security Administration, financial institutions, and estate management, potentially requiring alternative identification methods
  • Data utility trade-offs: Death certificate SSNs currently assist in preventing fraud and correctly matching records; alternatives must be equally reliable to avoid administrative errors
  • Gradual implementation concerns: The bill's effectiveness depends on coordination with federal agencies and private entities that rely on this data, raising questions about transition timelines and resource requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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