Sec. 2. Reductions in public access to Social Security Administration field or hearing offices
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Section 704 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 904 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: The Commissioner may not impose any reduction in public access on an office unless the requirements under paragraphs
(2)through
(5)have been satisfied in connection with such reduction. Not later than 180 days before the date that the proposed reduction in access to an office would take effect, the Commissioner shall provide effective public notice regarding the proposed reduction, which— may include, to the extent feasible, providing notice to— all individuals residing in areas serviced by such office by direct mailing, the dissemination of print or electronic notices, or publication in community outlets such as newspapers and posting in heavily trafficked public spaces; and representatives of institutions in areas serviced by such office that may be affected by the proposed reduction, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, elder rights advocacy groups, community-based organizations that represent Social Security beneficiaries, and any organization that represents employees of the Administration by direct mailing, electronic mail, or telephone; and shall include— direct, written notification of the elected officials of individuals residing in areas serviced by such office, which shall include each Member of the Congress representing a State or congressional district in which such office is located and may include the mayor, city council, or other local government officials representing the areas serviced by such office; on the website of the Social Security Administration, a description of the proposed reduction and the most recent information used by the Commissioner in evaluating the office for closure, including the most recent Service Area Review of such office; relevant information regarding the areas serviced by such office, including— the percentage of individuals in such areas with access to broadband internet service; the availability of public and private transportation from such office to the other offices nearest to such areas to individuals residing in such areas, and the extent to which such other offices are accessible by public or private transportation; the percentage of individuals in such areas that lack facility with the English language; the percentage of individuals in such area with annual incomes that do not exceed the Federal poverty threshold applicable to the family size involved (as determined by the Bureau of the Census); and any other relevant factors that may limit public access to the other offices nearest to such areas; a description of the effect that the reduction in public access will have on areas serviced by such office, including— the number of Social Security beneficiaries that such office services; the projected population of individuals residing in such areas (including any congressional district serviced by such office) who, during the 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year periods subsequent to the reduction in public access, will have attained early retirement age; the number of Administration employees who work in such areas and any congressional district serviced by such office; the number of cases pending, the average number of daily visitors in the previous year at such office, and the average wait time for service in the previous year at such office; the number of miles between such office and the other offices nearest to such areas; the average increase in travel from such office to the other offices nearest to such office for a member of the public or an employee of the Administration that is expected to result from the reduction in public access; and the level of public access available at the other offices nearest to such areas, including potential obstacles faced by elderly and disabled citizens; the projected savings to the Administration resulting from the reduction in public access for the 10-year period subsequent to such reduction; the estimated cost of co-locating such office with another Federal agency as an alternative to the proposed reduction in public access; any measures the Administration plans to take to eliminate or reduce obstacles to public access at the other offices nearest to the areas serviced by such office; relevant information regarding the criteria and reasons for imposing a reduction in public access on an office; and the date, time, and location of the public hearing described in paragraph (4). Not later than 30 days after the issuance of the public notice described in paragraph (2), the Commissioner shall provide for a public comment period of not less than 60 days. Not earlier than 30 days after the issuance of the public notice described in paragraph
(2)and not later than 80 days before the date that the proposed reduction in access to an office would take effect, the Commissioner shall conduct not less than 1 public hearing at which the Commissioner shall present the justifications for the reduction in access and provide attendees with an opportunity to present their views regarding such reduction. Not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the public comment period described in paragraph
(3)or the date of the public hearing described in paragraph (4), whichever is later, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and each Member of the Congress representing a State or congressional district in which the office is located a detailed final report, which shall be made available to the public, regarding the reduction in public access, including the justifications for such reduction and any findings made by the Commissioner in regards to comments received during the public comment period or the public hearing. In this subsection: The term reduction in public access means any closure of an office, consolidation of 2 or more offices, or reduction in the number of hours in which an office is open to the public by 8 or more hours per week, except that such term shall not include a temporary closure or reduction that is the result of the need to make necessary repairs, a natural disaster, or other emergency necessitating a reduction or closure. The term office means any field or hearing office of the Administration. . The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to any reduction in public access to an office that takes effect after the date of enactment of this Act.
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Sec. 2
Reductions in public access to Social Security Administration field or hearing offices
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