I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3812 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 24, 2012 Mr. Pierluisi (for himself, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Serrano, and Ms. Velázquez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To extend the supplemental security income program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supplemental Security Income Equality Act.

2.

Extension of the supplemental security income program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa

(a)

In general

Section 303 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 (86 Stat. 1484) is amended by striking subsection (b). (b)

Conforming amendments

(1)

Definition of state

Section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)) is amended by striking the 5th sentence and inserting the following: Such term when used in title XVI includes Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.. (2)

Elimination of limit on total payments to the territories

Section 1108 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended— (A)in the section heading, by striking ; limitation on total payments; (B)by striking subsection (a); and (C)in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (2) and (4) and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (4), respectively. (3)

United states nationals treated the same as citizens

Section 1614(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(1)(B)) is amended— (A)in clause (i)(I), by inserting or national, after citizen; (B)in clause (i)(II), by adding ; or at the end; and (C)in clause (ii), by inserting or national after citizen. (4)

Territories included in geographic meaning of united states

Section 1614(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(e)) is amended by striking and the District of Columbia and inserting , the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2012.