Moratorium on number reassignment after disaster declaration

(a)

In general

Section 251(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Moratorium on number reassignment after disaster declaration

(A)

In general

During a covered period with respect to an area, a number assigned in such area may not be reassigned, and the assignment of such number may not be rescinded or otherwise modified, except at the request of the subscriber to which such number is assigned. (B)

Extension at request of subscriber

At the request of the subscriber, the prohibition in subparagraph (A) shall be extended with respect to the number assigned to such subscriber for 2 years beyond the end of the covered period. (C)

Subscriber right to cancel and resubscribe

(i)

In general

In the case of a number that is assigned to a subscriber for the provision of wireline voice service at a residence that is located in an area that is in a covered period (or in the case of such a number with respect to which the subscriber requests an extension under subparagraph (B)), if the major disaster involved results in covered damage to such residence— (I)the provider of such service may not charge the subscriber any early termination or other fee in connection with the cancellation of such service; and (II)if the subscriber cancels such service, such provider (or any other provider of wireline voice service that serves the location involved)— (aa)shall permit the subscriber to subscribe or resubscribe, as the case may be, to wireline voice service with such number at such residence or at a different residence (if such number is available in the location of such different residence); and (bb)may not charge the subscriber any connection fee or other fee relating to the initiation of such service. (ii)

Timing

Clause (i) shall cease to apply with respect to the number at the end of the covered period or at the end of the extended period under subparagraph (B), as the case may be. (iii)

Limitation

Except as provided in this subparagraph, the prohibition in subparagraph (A) and any extension of such prohibition under subparagraph (B) shall cease to apply with respect to a number when the subscriber cancels the service with respect to which the number is assigned. (D)

Identification on Commission website

The Commission shall publicly identify on the website of the Commission each area that is in a covered period. (E)

Definitions

In this paragraph: (i)

Covered damage

The term covered damage means, with respect to a residence, damage— (I)that renders a residence inaccessible or uninhabitable, or that results in displacement from the residence; and (II)with respect to which the President determines that an individual or household is eligible for housing assistance or other needs assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (ii)

Covered period

The term covered period means, with respect to an area, any period that— (I)begins on the date of a declaration by the President of a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) with respect to such area; and (II)ends on the date that is 1 year after the date on which such declaration expires. (iii)

Wireline voice service

The term wireline voice service has the meaning given the term voice service in section 227(e)(8), except that the term wireline voice service does not include commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332(d)).

(b)

Effective date

Paragraph (4) of section 251(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)), as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c)

Transitional rule

Clause (iii) of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (4) of section 251(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)), as added by subsection (a), shall apply before the effective date of the amendment made to section 227(e)(8) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(8)) by subparagraph (C) of section 503(a)(2) of division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) as if such amendment were already in effect.