DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPE OF COUNTERFEIT-RESISTANT SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.

SEC. 657. DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPE OF COUNTERFEIT-RESISTANT SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. (a) Development.— (1) In general.— The Commissioner of Social Security (in this section referred to as the “Commissioner”) shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section, develop a prototype of a counterfeit-resistant social security card. Such prototype card— (A) shall be made of a durable, tamper-resistant material such as plastic or polyester; (B) shall employ technologies that provide security features, such as magnetic stripes, holograms, and integrated circuits; and (C) shall be developed so as to provide individuals with reliable proof of citizenship or legal resident alien status. (2) Assistance by attorney general— The Attorney General shall provide such information and assistance as the Commissioner deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this section. (b) Studies and Reports.— (1) In general.— The Comptroller General and the Commissioner of Social Security shall each conduct a study, and issue a report to the Congress, that examines different methods of improving the social security card application process. 110 STAT. 3009–720 (2) Elements of studies.— The studies shall include evaluations of the cost and work load implications of issuing a counterfeit-resistant social security card for all individuals over a 3, 5, and 10 year period. The studies shall also evaluate the feasibility and cost implications of imposing a user fee for replacement cards and cards issued to individuals who apply for such a card prior to the scheduled 3, 5, and 10 year phase-in options. (3) Distribution of reports.— Copies of the reports described in this subsection, along with facsimiles of the prototype cards as described in subsection (a), shall be submitted to the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Finance and Judiciary of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.