[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34886-34887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17077]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 98-1194]


Notice of Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) Certification; 
CC Docket No. 90-571

    Released: June 19, 1998.

    Notice is hereby given that the applications for certification of 
state Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) programs of the states 
listed below have been granted, subject to the condition described 
below, pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990, 47 U.S.C. 225(f)(2), and section 64.605(b) of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR 64.605(b). The Commission will provide further Public 
Notice of the certification of the remaining applications for 
certification once review of those states' applications has been 
completed. On the basis of the states applications, the Commission has 
determined that:
    (1) The TRS program of the listed states meet or exceed all 
operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in 
section 64.604 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 64.604;
    (2) The TRS programs of the listed states make available adequate 
procedures and remedies for enforcing the requirements of the state 
program; and,
    (3) The TRS programs of the listed states in no way conflict with 
federal law.
    The Commission also has determined that, where applicable, the 
intrastate funding mechanisms of the listed states are labeled in a 
manner that promotes national understanding of TRS and does not offend 
the public, consistent with

[[Page 34887]]

section 64.605(d) of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 64.605(d).
    On May 14, 1998, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking that proposes ways to enhance the quality of existing 
telecommunications relay services (TRS) and expand those services for 
better use by individuals with speech disabilities. See 
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for 
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67, 
FCC 98-90 (rel. May 20, 1998). Because the Commission may adopt changes 
to the rules governing relay programs, including state relay programs, 
the certification granted herein is conditioned on a demonstration of 
compliance with any new rules ultimately adopted by the Commission. The 
Commission will provide guidance to the states on demonstrating 
compliance with such rule changes.
    This certification, as conditioned herein, shall remain in effect 
for a five year period, beginning July 26, 1998, and ending July 25, 
2003, pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(c). One year prior to the expiration of 
this certification, July 25, 2002, the states may apply for renewal of 
their TRS program certifications by filing documentation in accordance 
with the Commission's rules, pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(a) and (b).
    Copies of certification letters are available for public inspection 
at the Commission's Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, 
Room 235, 2000 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, Monday through Thursday, 
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:30 to 1:30 PM) and the FCC Reference 
Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, daily, from 9:00 
AM to 4:30 PM.

Fourth Group of States Approved for Certification

    File No. TRS-97-07.
    Applicant: Virginia Public Service Commission.
    State of: Virginia.

    File No. TRS-97-23.
    Applicant: Department of Public Utilities.
    State of: Massachusetts.

    File No. TRS-97-38.
    Applicant: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
    State of: North Carolina.

    File No. TRS-97-44.
    Applicant: Wisconsin Department of Administration.
    State of: Wisconsin.

    For further information contact: Al McCloud, (202) 418-2499, 
[email protected]: Helene Nankin, (202) 418-1466, [email protected]; or 
Kris Monteith, (202) 418-1098, [email protected], (TTY, 202-418-0484), 
at the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission.

Federal Communications Commission.
Geraldine A. Matise,
Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 98-17077 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
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