[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1541 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1541

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
    To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal 
  Communications Commission to ensure just and reasonable charges for 
  telephone and advanced communications services in correctional and 
                         detention facilities.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Martha Wright-Reed Just and 
Reasonable Communications Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 276 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. 276) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``per call'';
                    (B) by inserting ``, and all rates and charges are 
                just and reasonable,'' after ``fairly compensated'';
                    (C) by striking ``each and every'';
                    (D) by striking ``call using'' and inserting 
                ``communications using''; and
                    (E) by inserting ``or other calling device'' after 
                ``payphone''; and
            (2) in subsection (d), by inserting ``and advanced 
        communications services described in subparagraphs (A), (B), 
        (D), and (E) of section 3(1)'' after ``inmate telephone 
        service''.
    (b) Definition of Advanced Communications Services.--Section 3(1) 
of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) any audio or video communications service 
                used by inmates for the purpose of communicating with 
                individuals outside the correctional institution where 
                the inmate is held, regardless of technology used.''.
    (c) Application of the Act.--Section 2(b) of the Communications Act 
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 152(b)) is amended by inserting ``section 276,'' 
after ``sections 223 through 227, inclusive,''.

SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) Rulemaking.--Not earlier than 18 months and not later than 24 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal 
Communications Commission shall promulgate any regulations necessary to 
implement this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
    (b) Use of Data.--In implementing this Act and the amendments made 
by this Act, including by promulgating regulations under subsection (a) 
and determining just and reasonable rates, the Federal Communications 
Commission--
            (1) may use industry-wide average costs of telephone 
        service and advanced communications services and the average 
        costs of service of a communications service provider; and
            (2) shall consider costs associated with any safety and 
        security measures necessary to provide a service described in 
        paragraph (1) and differences in the costs described in 
        paragraph (1) by small, medium, or large facilities or other 
        characteristics.

SEC. 4. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify or affect any 
Federal, State, or local law to require telephone service or advanced 
communications services at a State or local prison, jail, or detention 
facility or prohibit the implementation of any safety and security 
measures related to such services at such facilities.

            Passed the Senate December 21, 2022.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
117th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1541

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

    To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal 
  Communications Commission to ensure just and reasonable charges for 
  telephone and advanced communications services in correctional and 
                         detention facilities.