47 U.S.C. § 227 — Restrictions on use of telephone equipment

Page 69 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 1 So in original. Second closing parenthesis probably should not appear. § 227. Restrictions on use of telephone equipment (a) Definitions As used in this section— (1) The term ‘‘automatic telephone dialing system’’ means equipment which has the ca- pacity— (A) to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator; and (B) to dial such numbers. (2) The term ‘‘established business relation- ship’’, for purposes only of subsection (b)(1)(C)(i), shall have the meaning given the term in section 64.1200 of title 47, Code of Fed- eral Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2003, except that— (A) such term shall include a relationship between a person or entity and a business subscriber subject to the same terms appli- cable under such section to a relationship between a person or entity and a residential subscriber; and (B) an established business relationship shall be subject to any time limitation es- tablished pursuant to paragraph (2)(G)).1 (3) The term ‘‘telephone facsimile machine’’ means equipment which has the capacity (A) to transcribe text or images, or both, from paper into an electronic signal and to trans- mit that signal over a regular telephone line, or (B) to transcribe text or images (or both) from an electronic signal received over a reg- ular telephone line onto paper. (4) The term ‘‘telephone solicitation’’ means the initiation of a telephone call or message for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services, which is transmitted to any person, but such term does not include a call or mes- sage (A) to any person with that person’s prior express invitation or permission, (B) to any person with whom the caller has an estab- lished business relationship, or (C) by a tax ex- empt nonprofit organization. (5) The term ‘‘unsolicited advertisement’’ means any material advertising the commer- cial availability or quality of any property, goods, or services which is transmitted to any person without that person’s prior express in- vitation or permission, in writing or other- wise. (b) Restrictions on use of automated telephone equipment (1) Prohibitions It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States, or any person outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States— (A) to make any call (other than a call made for emergency purposes or made with the prior express consent of the called party) using any automatic telephone dialing sys- tem or an artificial or prerecorded voice— (i) to any emergency telephone line (in- cluding any ‘‘911’’ line and any emergency line of a hospital, medical physician or service office, health care facility, poison control center, or fire protection or law enforcement agency); (ii) to the telephone line of any guest room or patient room of a hospital, health care facility, elderly home, or similar es- tablishment; or (iii) to any telephone number assigned to a paging service, cellular telephone serv- ice, specialized mobile radio service, or other radio common carrier service, or any service for which the called party is charged for the call, unless such call is made solely to collect a debt owed to or guaranteed by the United States; (B) to initiate any telephone call to any residential telephone line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message without the prior express consent of the called party, unless the call is initiated for emergency purposes, is made solely pursuant to the collection of a debt owed to or guar- anteed by the United States, or is exempted by rule or order by the Commission under paragraph (2)(B); (C) to use any telephone facsimile ma- chine, computer, or other device to send, to a telephone facsimile machine, an unsolic- ited advertisement, unless— (i) the unsolicited advertisement is from a sender with an established business rela- tionship with the recipient; (ii) the sender obtained the number of the telephone facsimile machine through— (I) the voluntary communication of such number, within the context of such established business relationship, from the recipient of the unsolicited adver- tisement, or (II) a directory, advertisement, or site on the Internet to which the recipient voluntarily agreed to make available its facsimile number for public distribution, except that this clause shall not apply in the case of an unsolicited advertisement that is sent based on an established busi- ness relationship with the recipient that was in existence before July 9, 2005, if the sender possessed the facsimile machine number of the recipient before July 9, 2005; and (iii) the unsolicited advertisement con- tains a notice meeting the requirements under paragraph (2)(D), except that the exception under clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply with respect to an unsolicited advertisement sent to a tele- phone facsimile machine by a sender to whom a request has been made not to send future unsolicited advertisements to such telephone facsimile machine that complies with the requirements under paragraph (2)(E); or (D) to use an automatic telephone dialing system in such a way that two or more tele- phone lines of a multi-line business are en- gaged simultaneously. Page 70 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 (2) Regulations; exemptions and other provi- sions The Commission shall prescribe regulations to implement the requirements of this sub- section. In implementing the requirements of this subsection, the Commission— (A) shall consider prescribing regulations to allow businesses to avoid receiving calls made using an artificial or prerecorded voice to which they have not given their prior ex- press consent; (B) may, by rule or order, exempt from the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) of this sub- section, subject to such conditions as the Commission may prescribe— (i) calls that are not made for a commer- cial purpose; and (ii) such classes or categories of calls made for commercial purposes as the Com- mission determines— (I) will not adversely affect the privacy rights that this section is intended to protect; and (II) do not include the transmission of any unsolicited advertisement; (C) may, by rule or order, exempt from the requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(iii) of this subsection calls to a telephone number as- signed to a cellular telephone service that are not charged to the called party, subject to such conditions as the Commission may prescribe as necessary in the interest of the privacy rights this section is intended to protect; (D) shall provide that a notice contained in an unsolicited advertisement complies with the requirements under this subpara- graph only if— (i) the notice is clear and conspicuous and on the first page of the unsolicited ad- vertisement; (ii) the notice states that the recipient may make a request to the sender of the unsolicited advertisement not to send any future unsolicited advertisements to a telephone facsimile machine or machines and that failure to comply, within the shortest reasonable time, as determined by the Commission, with such a request meet- ing the requirements under subparagraph (E) is unlawful; (iii) the notice sets forth the require- ments for a request under subparagraph (E); (iv) the notice includes— (I) a domestic contact telephone and facsimile machine number for the recipi- ent to transmit such a request to the sender; and (II) a cost-free mechanism for a recipi- ent to transmit a request pursuant to such notice to the sender of the unsolic- ited advertisement; the Commission shall by rule require the sender to pro- vide such a mechanism and may, in the discretion of the Commission and subject to such conditions as the Commission may prescribe, exempt certain classes of small business senders, but only if the Commission determines that the costs to such class are unduly burdensome given the revenues generated by such small businesses; (v) the telephone and facsimile machine numbers and the cost-free mechanism set forth pursuant to clause (iv) permit an in- dividual or business to make such a re- quest at any time on any day of the week; and (vi) the notice complies with the require- ments of subsection (d); (E) shall provide, by rule, that a request not to send future unsolicited advertise- ments to a telephone facsimile machine complies with the requirements under this subparagraph only if— (i) the request identifies the telephone number or numbers of the telephone fac- simile machine or machines to which the request relates; (ii) the request is made to the telephone or facsimile number of the sender of such an unsolicited advertisement provided pur- suant to subparagraph (D)(iv) or by any other method of communication as deter- mined by the Commission; and (iii) the person making the request has not, subsequent to such request, provided express invitation or permission to the sender, in writing or otherwise, to send such advertisements to such person at such telephone facsimile machine; (F) may, in the discretion of the Commis- sion and subject to such conditions as the Commission may prescribe, allow profes- sional or trade associations that are tax-ex- empt nonprofit organizations to send unso- licited advertisements to their members in furtherance of the association’s tax-exempt purpose that do not contain the notice re- quired by paragraph (1)(C)(iii), except that the Commission may take action under this subparagraph only— (i) by regulation issued after public no- tice and opportunity for public comment; and (ii) if the Commission determines that such notice required by paragraph (1)(C)(iii) is not necessary to protect the ability of the members of such associa- tions to stop such associations from send- ing any future unsolicited advertisements; (G)(i) may, consistent with clause (ii), limit the duration of the existence of an es- tablished business relationship, however, be- fore establishing any such limits, the Com- mission shall— (I) determine whether the existence of the exception under paragraph (1)(C) relat- ing to an established business relationship has resulted in a significant number of complaints to the Commission regarding the sending of unsolicited advertisements to telephone facsimile machines; (II) determine whether a significant number of any such complaints involve un- solicited advertisements that were sent on the basis of an established business rela- tionship that was longer in duration than Page 71 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 the Commission believes is consistent with the reasonable expectations of consumers; (III) evaluate the costs to senders of demonstrating the existence of an estab- lished business relationship within a speci- fied period of time and the benefits to re- cipients of establishing a limitation on such established business relationship; and (IV) determine whether with respect to small businesses, the costs would not be unduly burdensome; and (ii) may not commence a proceeding to de- termine whether to limit the duration of the existence of an established business relation- ship before the expiration of the 3-month pe- riod that begins on July 9, 2005; (H) may restrict or limit the number and duration of calls made to a telephone num- ber assigned to a cellular telephone service to collect a debt owed to or guaranteed by the United States; and (I) shall ensure that any exemption under subparagraph (B) or (C) contains require- ments for calls made in reliance on the ex- emption with respect to— (i) the classes of parties that may make such calls; (ii) the classes of parties that may be called; and (iii) the number of such calls that a call- ing party may make to a particular called party. (3) Private right of action A person or entity may, if otherwise per- mitted by the laws or rules of court of a State, bring in an appropriate court of that State— (A) an action based on a violation of this subsection or the regulations prescribed under this subsection to enjoin such viola- tion, (B) an action to recover for actual mone- tary loss from such a violation, or to receive $500 in damages for each such violation, whichever is greater, or (C) both such actions. If the court finds that the defendant willfully or knowingly violated this subsection or the regulations prescribed under this subsection, the court may, in its discretion, increase the amount of the award to an amount equal to not more than 3 times the amount available under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. (4) Civil forfeiture (A) In general Any person that is determined by the Com- mission, in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4) of section 503(b) of this title, to have vio- lated this subsection shall be liable to the United States for a forfeiture penalty pursu- ant to section 503(b)(1) of this title. Para- graph (5) of section 503(b) of this title shall not apply in the case of a violation of this subsection. A forfeiture penalty under this subparagraph shall be in addition to any other penalty provided for by this chapter. The amount of the forfeiture penalty deter- mined under this subparagraph shall be de- termined in accordance with subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 503(b)(2) of this title. (B) Violation with intent Any person that is determined by the Com- mission, in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4) of section 503(b) of this title, to have vio- lated this subsection with the intent to cause such violation shall be liable to the United States for a forfeiture penalty pursu- ant to section 503(b)(1) of this title. Para- graph (5) of section 503(b) of this title shall not apply in the case of a violation of this subsection. A forfeiture penalty under this subparagraph shall be in addition to any other penalty provided for by this chapter. The amount of the forfeiture penalty deter- mined under this subparagraph shall be equal to an amount determined in accord- ance with subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 503(b)(2) of this title plus an addi- tional penalty not to exceed $10,000. (C) Recovery Any forfeiture penalty determined under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be recoverable under section 504(a) of this title. (D) Procedure No forfeiture liability shall be determined under subparagraph (A) or (B) against any person unless such person receives the no- tice required by section 503(b)(3) of this title or section 503(b)(4) of this title. (E) Statute of limitations Notwithstanding paragraph (6) of section 503(b) of this title, no forfeiture penalty shall be determined or imposed against any person— (i) under subparagraph (A) if the viola- tion charged occurred more than 1 year prior to the date of issuance of the re- quired notice or notice of apparent liabil- ity; or (ii) under subparagraph (B) if the viola- tion charged occurred more than 4 years prior to the date of issuance of the re- quired notice or notice of apparent liabil- ity. (F) Rule of construction Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Commission may not determine or im- pose a forfeiture penalty on a person under both subparagraphs (A) and (B) based on the same conduct. (c) Protection of subscriber privacy rights (1) Rulemaking proceeding required Within 120 days after December 20, 1991, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking pro- ceeding concerning the need to protect resi- dential telephone subscribers’ privacy rights to avoid receiving telephone solicitations to which they object. The proceeding shall— (A) compare and evaluate alternative methods and procedures (including the use of electronic databases, telephone network technologies, special directory markings, in- dustry-based or company-specific ‘‘do not call’’ systems, and any other alternatives, individually or in combination) for their ef- Page 72 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 fectiveness in protecting such privacy rights, and in terms of their cost and other advantages and disadvantages; (B) evaluate the categories of public and private entities that would have the capac- ity to establish and administer such meth- ods and procedures; (C) consider whether different methods and procedures may apply for local telephone so- licitations, such as local telephone solicita- tions of small businesses or holders of sec- ond class mail permits; (D) consider whether there is a need for ad- ditional Commission authority to further re- strict telephone solicitations, including those calls exempted under subsection (a)(3) of this section, and, if such a finding is made and supported by the record, propose specific restrictions to the Congress; and (E) develop proposed regulations to imple- ment the methods and procedures that the Commission determines are most effective and efficient to accomplish the purposes of this section. (2) Regulations Not later than 9 months after December 20, 1991, the Commission shall conclude the rule- making proceeding initiated under paragraph (1) and shall prescribe regulations to imple- ment methods and procedures for protecting the privacy rights described in such paragraph in an efficient, effective, and economic man- ner and without the imposition of any addi- tional charge to telephone subscribers. (3) Use of database permitted The regulations required by paragraph (2) may require the establishment and operation of a single national database to compile a list of telephone numbers of residential sub- scribers who object to receiving telephone so- licitations, and to make that compiled list and parts thereof available for purchase. If the Commission determines to require such a database, such regulations shall— (A) specify a method by which the Com- mission will select an entity to administer such database; (B) require each common carrier providing telephone exchange service, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commis- sion, to inform subscribers for telephone ex- change service of the opportunity to provide notification, in accordance with regulations established under this paragraph, that such subscriber objects to receiving telephone so- licitations; (C) specify the methods by which each telephone subscriber shall be informed, by the common carrier that provides local ex- change service to that subscriber, of (i) the subscriber’s right to give or revoke a notifi- cation of an objection under subparagraph (A), and (ii) the methods by which such right may be exercised by the subscriber; (D) specify the methods by which such ob- jections shall be collected and added to the database; (E) prohibit any residential subscriber from being charged for giving or revoking such notification or for being included in a database compiled under this section; (F) prohibit any person from making or transmitting a telephone solicitation to the telephone number of any subscriber included in such database; (G) specify (i) the methods by which any person desiring to make or transmit tele- phone solicitations will obtain access to the database, by area code or local exchange pre- fix, as required to avoid calling the tele- phone numbers of subscribers included in such database; and (ii) the costs to be recov- ered from such persons; (H) specify the methods for recovering, from persons accessing such database, the costs involved in identifying, collecting, up- dating, disseminating, and selling, and other activities relating to, the operations of the database that are incurred by the entities carrying out those activities; (I) specify the frequency with which such database will be updated and specify the method by which such updating will take ef- fect for purposes of compliance with the reg- ulations prescribed under this subsection; (J) be designed to enable States to use the database mechanism selected by the Com- mission for purposes of administering or en- forcing State law; (K) prohibit the use of such database for any purpose other than compliance with the requirements of this section and any such State law and specify methods for protection of the privacy rights of persons whose num- bers are included in such database; and (L) require each common carrier providing services to any person for the purpose of making telephone solicitations to notify such person of the requirements of this sec- tion and the regulations thereunder. (4) Considerations required for use of database method If the Commission determines to require the database mechanism described in paragraph (3), the Commission shall— (A) in developing procedures for gaining access to the database, consider the different needs of telemarketers conducting business on a national, regional, State, or local level; (B) develop a fee schedule or price struc- ture for recouping the cost of such database that recognizes such differences and— (i) reflect the relative costs of providing a national, regional, State, or local list of phone numbers of subscribers who object to receiving telephone solicitations; (ii) reflect the relative costs of providing such lists on paper or electronic media; and (iii) not place an unreasonable financial burden on small businesses; and (C) consider (i) whether the needs of tele- marketers operating on a local basis could be met through special markings of area white pages directories, and (ii) if such di- rectories are needed as an adjunct to data- base lists prepared by area code and local ex- change prefix. (5) Private right of action A person who has received more than one telephone call within any 12-month period by Page 73 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 or on behalf of the same entity in violation of the regulations prescribed under this sub- section may, if otherwise permitted by the laws or rules of court of a State bring in an ap- propriate court of that State— (A) an action based on a violation of the regulations prescribed under this subsection to enjoin such violation, (B) an action to recover for actual mone- tary loss from such a violation, or to receive up to $500 in damages for each such viola- tion, whichever is greater, or (C) both such actions. It shall be an affirmative defense in any action brought under this paragraph that the defend- ant has established and implemented, with due care, reasonable practices and procedures to effectively prevent telephone solicitations in violation of the regulations prescribed under this subsection. If the court finds that the de- fendant willfully or knowingly violated the regulations prescribed under this subsection, the court may, in its discretion, increase the amount of the award to an amount equal to not more than 3 times the amount available under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. (6) Relation to subsection (b) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to permit a communication pro- hibited by subsection (b). (d) Technical and procedural standards (1) Prohibition It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States— (A) to initiate any communication using a telephone facsimile machine, or to make any telephone call using any automatic tele- phone dialing system, that does not comply with the technical and procedural standards prescribed under this subsection, or to use any telephone facsimile machine or auto- matic telephone dialing system in a manner that does not comply with such standards; or (B) to use a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a telephone facsimile machine unless such person clearly marks, in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page of the message or on the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and an identification of the business, other entity, or individual sending the message and the telephone num- ber of the sending machine or of such busi- ness, other entity, or individual. (2) Telephone facsimile machines The Commission shall revise the regulations setting technical and procedural standards for telephone facsimile machines to require that any such machine which is manufactured after one year after December 20, 1991, clearly marks, in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of each transmission, the date and time sent, an identification of the business, other entity, or individual sending the message, and the tele- phone number of the sending machine or of such business, other entity, or individual. (3) Artificial or prerecorded voice systems The Commission shall prescribe technical and procedural standards for systems that are used to transmit any artificial or prerecorded voice message via telephone. Such standards shall require that— (A) all artificial or prerecorded telephone messages (i) shall, at the beginning of the message, state clearly the identity of the business, individual, or other entity initi- ating the call, and (ii) shall, during or after the message, state clearly the telephone number or address of such business, other entity, or individual; and (B) any such system will automatically re- lease the called party’s line within 5 seconds of the time notification is transmitted to the system that the called party has hung up, to allow the called party’s line to be used to make or receive other calls. (e) Prohibition on provision of misleading or in- accurate caller identification information (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States, or any person outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States, in connection with any voice service or text messaging service, to cause any caller identification service to knowingly transmit misleading or inaccurate caller iden- tification information with the intent to de- fraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain any- thing of value, unless such transmission is ex- empted pursuant to paragraph (3)(B). (2) Protection for blocking caller identification information Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prevent or restrict any person from block- ing the capability of any caller identification service to transmit caller identification infor- mation. (3) Regulations (A) In general The Commission shall prescribe regula- tions to implement this subsection. (B) Content of regulations (i) In general The regulations required under subpara- graph (A) shall include such exemptions from the prohibition under paragraph (1) as the Commission determines is appro- priate. (ii) Specific exemption for law enforcement agencies or court orders The regulations required under subpara- graph (A) shall exempt from the prohibi- tion under paragraph (1) transmissions in connection with— (I) any authorized activity of a law en- forcement agency; or (II) a court order that specifically au- thorizes the use of caller identification manipulation. Page 74 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 (4) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, § 402(i)(3), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1089 (5) Penalties (A) Civil forfeiture (i) In general Any person that is determined by the Commission, in accordance with para- graphs (3) and (4) of section 503(b) of this title, to have violated this subsection shall be liable to the United States for a for- feiture penalty. A forfeiture penalty under this paragraph shall be in addition to any other penalty provided for by this chapter. The amount of the forfeiture penalty de- termined under this paragraph shall not exceed $10,000 for each violation, or 3 times that amount for each day of a continuing violation, except that the amount assessed for any continuing violation shall not ex- ceed a total of $1,000,000 for any single act or failure to act. (ii) Recovery Any forfeiture penalty determined under clause (i) shall be recoverable pursuant to section 504(a) of this title. Paragraph (5) of section 503(b) of this title shall not apply in the case of a violation of this sub- section. (iii) Procedure No forfeiture liability shall be deter- mined under clause (i) against any person unless such person receives the notice re- quired by section 503(b)(3) of this title or section 503(b)(4) of this title. (iv) 4-year statute of limitations No forfeiture penalty shall be deter- mined or imposed against any person under clause (i) if the violation charged oc- curred more than 4 years prior to the date of issuance of the required notice or notice or apparent liability. (B) Criminal fine Any person who willfully and knowingly violates this subsection shall upon convic- tion thereof be fined not more than $10,000 for each violation, or 3 times that amount for each day of a continuing violation, in lieu of the fine provided by section 501 of this title for such a violation. This subpara- graph does not supersede the provisions of section 501 of this title relating to imprison- ment or the imposition of a penalty of both fine and imprisonment. (6) Enforcement by States (A) In general The chief legal officer of a State, or any other State officer authorized by law to bring actions on behalf of the residents of a State, may bring a civil action, as parens patriae, on behalf of the residents of that State in an appropriate district court of the United States to enforce this subsection or to impose the civil penalties for violation of this subsection, whenever the chief legal of- ficer or other State officer has reason to be- lieve that the interests of the residents of the State have been or are being threatened or adversely affected by a violation of this subsection or a regulation under this sub- section. (B) Notice The chief legal officer or other State offi- cer shall serve written notice on the Com- mission of any civil action under subpara- graph (A) prior to initiating such civil ac- tion. The notice shall include a copy of the complaint to be filed to initiate such civil action, except that if it is not feasible for the State to provide such prior notice, the State shall provide such notice immediately upon instituting such civil action. (C) Authority to intervene Upon receiving the notice required by sub- paragraph (B), the Commission shall have the right— (i) to intervene in the action; (ii) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and (iii) to file petitions for appeal. (D) Construction For purposes of bringing any civil action under subparagraph (A), nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the chief legal offi- cer or other State officer from exercising the powers conferred on that officer by the laws of such State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to com- pel the attendance of witnesses or the pro- duction of documentary and other evidence. (E) Venue; service or process (i) Venue An action brought under subparagraph (A) shall be brought in a district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under sec- tion 1391 of title 28. (ii) Service of process In an action brought under subparagraph (A)— (I) process may be served without re- gard to the territorial limits of the dis- trict or of the State in which the action is instituted; and (II) a person who participated in an al- leged violation that is being litigated in the civil action may be joined in the civil action without regard to the resi- dence of the person. (7) Effect on other laws This subsection does not prohibit any law- fully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a po- litical subdivision of a State, or of an intel- ligence agency of the United States. (8) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Caller identification information The term ‘‘caller identification informa- tion’’ means information provided by a call- er identification service regarding the tele- Page 75 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 phone number of, or other information re- garding the origination of, a call made using a voice service or a text message sent using a text messaging service. (B) Caller identification service The term ‘‘caller identification service’’ means any service or device designed to pro- vide the user of the service or device with the telephone number of, or other informa- tion regarding the origination of, a call made using a voice service or a text message sent using a text messaging service. Such term includes automatic number identifica- tion services. (C) Text message The term ‘‘text message’’— (i) means a message consisting of text, images, sounds, or other information that is transmitted to or from a device that is identified as the receiving or transmitting device by means of a 10-digit telephone number or N11 service code; (ii) includes a short message service (commonly referred to as ‘‘SMS’’) message and a multimedia message service (com- monly referred to as ‘‘MMS’’) message; and (iii) does not include— (I) a real-time, two-way voice or video communication; or (II) a message sent over an IP-enabled messaging service to another user of the same messaging service, except a mes- sage described in clause (ii). (D) Text messaging service The term ‘‘text messaging service’’ means a service that enables the transmission or receipt of a text message, including a service provided as part of or in connection with a voice service. (E) Voice service The term ‘‘voice service’’— (i) means any service that is inter- connected with the public switched tele- phone network and that furnishes voice communications to an end user using re- sources from the North American Num- bering Plan or any successor to the North American Numbering Plan adopted by the Commission under section 251(e)(1) of this title; and (ii) includes transmissions from a tele- phone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to a telephone facsimile ma- chine. (9) Limitation Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, subsection (f) shall not apply to this subsection or to the regulations under this subsection. (f) Effect on State law (1) State law not preempted Except for the standards prescribed under subsection (d) and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, nothing in this section or in the regulations prescribed under this section shall preempt any State law that imposes more restrictive intrastate requirements or regulations on, or which prohibits— (A) the use of telephone facsimile ma- chines or other electronic devices to send unsolicited advertisements; (B) the use of automatic telephone dialing systems; (C) the use of artificial or prerecorded voice messages; or (D) the making of telephone solicitations. (2) State use of databases If, pursuant to subsection (c)(3), the Com- mission requires the establishment of a single national database of telephone numbers of subscribers who object to receiving telephone solicitations, a State or local authority may not, in its regulation of telephone solicita- tions, require the use of any database, list, or listing system that does not include the part of such single national database that relates to such State. (g) Actions by States (1) Authority of States Whenever the attorney general of a State, or an official or agency designated by a State, has reason to believe that any person has en- gaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice of telephone calls or other transmissions to resi- dents of that State in violation of this section or the regulations prescribed under this sec- tion, the State may bring a civil action on be- half of its residents to enjoin such calls, an ac- tion to recover for actual monetary loss or re- ceive $500 in damages for each violation, or both such actions. If the court finds the de- fendant willfully or knowingly violated such regulations, the court may, in its discretion, increase the amount of the award to an amount equal to not more than 3 times the amount available under the preceding sen- tence. (2) Exclusive jurisdiction of Federal courts The district courts of the United States, the United States courts of any territory, and the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia shall have exclusive ju- risdiction over all civil actions brought under this subsection. Upon proper application, such courts shall also have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, or orders affording like re- lief, commanding the defendant to comply with the provisions of this section or regula- tions prescribed under this section, including the requirement that the defendant take such action as is necessary to remove the danger of such violation. Upon a proper showing, a per- manent or temporary injunction or restrain- ing order shall be granted without bond. (3) Rights of Commission The State shall serve prior written notice of any such civil action upon the Commission and provide the Commission with a copy of its complaint, except in any case where such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the State shall serve such notice immediately upon in- stituting such action. The Commission shall have the right (A) to intervene in the action, (B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein, and (C) to file peti- tions for appeal. Page 76 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 (4) Venue; service of process Any civil action brought under this sub- section in a district court of the United States may be brought in the district wherein the de- fendant is found or is an inhabitant or trans- acts business or wherein the violation oc- curred or is occurring, and process in such cases may be served in any district in which the defendant is an inhabitant or where the defendant may be found. (5) Investigatory powers For purposes of bringing any civil action under this subsection, nothing in this section shall prevent the attorney general of a State, or an official or agency designated by a State, from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general or such official by the laws of such State to conduct investigations or to ad- minister oaths or affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (6) Effect on State court proceedings Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit an authorized State official from proceeding in State court on the basis of an alleged violation of any general civil or criminal statute of such State. (7) Limitation Whenever the Commission has instituted a civil action for violation of regulations pre- scribed under this section, no State may, dur- ing the pendency of such action instituted by the Commission, subsequently institute a civil action against any defendant named in the Commission’s complaint for any violation as alleged in the Commission’s complaint. (8) ‘‘Attorney general’’ defined As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘attor- ney general’’ means the chief legal officer of a State. (h) Annual report to Congress on robocalls and transmission of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information (1) Report required Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2019, and annually thereafter, the Commission, after consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, shall submit to Congress a report regarding enforcement by the Commission of subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) during the pre- ceding calendar year. (2) Matters for inclusion Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of complaints received by the Commission during each of the preceding 5 calendar years, for each of the following categories: (i) Complaints alleging that a consumer received a call in violation of subsection (b) or (c). (ii) Complaints alleging that a consumer received a call in violation of the stand- ards prescribed under subsection (d). (iii) Complaints alleging that a con- sumer received a call in connection with which misleading or inaccurate caller identification information was trans- mitted in violation of subsection (e). (B) The number of citations issued by the Commission pursuant to section 503(b) of this title during the preceding calendar year to enforce subsection (d), and details of each such citation. (C) The number of notices of apparent li- ability issued by the Commission pursuant to section 503(b) of this title during the pre- ceding calendar year to enforce subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), and details of each such notice including any proposed forfeiture amount. (D) The number of final orders imposing forfeiture penalties issued pursuant to sec- tion 503(b) of this title during the preceding calendar year to enforce such subsections, and details of each such order including the forfeiture imposed. (E) The amount of forfeiture penalties or criminal fines collected, during the pre- ceding calendar year, by the Commission or the Attorney General for violations of such subsections, and details of each case in which such a forfeiture penalty or criminal fine was collected. (F) Proposals for reducing the number of calls made in violation of such subsections. (G) An analysis of the contribution by pro- viders of interconnected VoIP service and non-interconnected VoIP service that dis- count high-volume, unlawful, short-duration calls to the total number of calls made in violation of such subsections, and rec- ommendations on how to address such con- tribution in order to decrease the total num- ber of calls made in violation of such sub- sections. (3) No additional reporting required The Commission shall prepare the report re- quired by paragraph (1) without requiring the provision of additional information from pro- viders of telecommunications service or voice service (as defined in section 227b(a) of this title). (i) Information sharing (1) In general Not later than 18 months after December 30, 2019, the Commission shall prescribe regula- tions to establish a process that streamlines the ways in which a private entity may volun- tarily share with the Commission information relating to— (A) a call made or a text message sent in violation of subsection (b); or (B) a call or text message for which mis- leading or inaccurate caller identification information was caused to be transmitted in violation of subsection (e). (2) Text message defined In this subsection, the term ‘‘text message’’ has the meaning given such term in subsection (e)(8). (j) Robocall blocking service (1) In general Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2019, the Commission shall take a final agency Page 77 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 2 So in original. The word ‘‘and’’ probably should not appear. action to ensure the robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out or opt-in basis pursu- ant to the Declaratory Ruling of the Commis- sion in the matter of Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls (CG Docket No. 17–59; FCC 19–51; adopted on June 6, 2019)— (A) are provided with transparency and ef- fective redress options for both— (i) consumers; and (ii) callers; and 2 (B) are provided with no additional line item charge to consumers and no additional charge to callers for resolving complaints re- lated to erroneously blocked calls; and (C) make all reasonable efforts to avoid blocking emergency public safety calls. (2) Text message defined In this subsection, the term ‘‘text message’’ has the meaning given such term in subsection (e)(8). (June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, § 227, as added Pub. L. 102–243, § 3(a), Dec. 20, 1991, 105 Stat. 2395; amended Pub. L. 102–556, title IV, § 402, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4194; Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(11), (12), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4294; Pub. L. 108–187, § 12, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2717; Pub. L. 109–21, §§ 2(a)–(g), 3, July 9, 2005, 119 Stat. 359–362; Pub. L. 111–331, § 2, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3572; Pub. L. 114–74, title III, § 301(a), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 588; Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, § 402(i)(3), title V, § 503(a)(1)–(4)(A), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1089, 1091, 1092; Pub. L. 116–105, §§ 3(a), 8(a), 10(a), (b), Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3274, 3283, 3284.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(4)(A), (B) and (e)(5)(A)(i), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Com- munications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables. CONSTITUTIONALITY For information regarding the constitutionality of provisions of subsection (b)(1)(A)(iii) of this section, see the Table of Laws Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court on the Constitution Anno- tated website, constitution.congress.gov. AMENDMENTS 2019—Subsec. (b)(2)(I). Pub. L. 116–105, § 8(a), added subpar. (I). Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(a)(1), added par. (4). Subsec. (e)(5)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(a)(2)(A), in- serted at end ‘‘Paragraph (5) of section 503(b) of this title shall not apply in the case of a violation of this subsection.’’ Subsec. (e)(5)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(a)(2)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘4-year’’ for ‘‘2-year’’ in heading and ‘‘4 years’’ for ‘‘2 years’’ in text. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(a)(3), added subsec. (h) and struck out former subsec. (h) which related to an- nual junk fax enforcement report. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 116–105, § 10(a), added subsec. (i). Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 116–105, § 10(b), added subsec. (j). 2018—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–141, § 503(a)(3), inserted ‘‘misleading or’’ before ‘‘inaccurate’’ in heading. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–141, § 503(a)(1), substituted ‘‘or any person outside the United States if the recipi- ent is within the United States, in connection with any voice service or text messaging service’’ for ‘‘in connec- tion with any telecommunications service’’. Subsec. (e)(3)(A). Pub. L. 115–141, § 503(a)(4)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘The Commission’’ for ‘‘Not later than 6 months after December 22, 2010, the Commission’’. Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(3), struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: ‘‘Not later than 6 months after December 22, 2010, the Commission shall report to Congress whether additional legislation is necessary to prohibit the provision of inaccurate caller identifica- tion information in technologies that are successor or replacement technologies to telecommunications serv- ice or IP-enabled voice service.’’ Subsec. (e)(8)(A), (B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 503(a)(2)(A), (B), substituted ‘‘voice service or a text message sent using a text messaging service’’ for ‘‘telecommuni- cations service or IP-enabled voice service’’. Subsec. (e)(8)(C) to (E). Pub. L. 115–141, § 503(a)(2)(C), added subpars. (C) to (E) and struck out former subpar. (C) which defined IP-enabled voice service. 2015—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 114–74, § 301(a)(1)(A), inserted ‘‘, unless such call is made solely to collect a debt owed to or guaranteed by the United States’’ after ‘‘charged for the call’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 114–74, § 301(a)(1)(B), inserted ‘‘, is made solely pursuant to the collection of a debt owed to or guaranteed by the United States,’’ after ‘‘emergency purposes’’. Subsec. (b)(2)(H). Pub. L. 114–74, § 301(a)(2), added sub- par. (H). 2010—Subsecs. (e) to (h). Pub. L. 111–331 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsecs. (e) to (g) as (f) to (h), respectively. 2005—Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 109–21, § 2(b), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (5). Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 109–21, § 2(b)(1), (g), redesig- nated par. (4) as (5) and inserted ‘‘, in writing or other- wise’’ before period at end. Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–21, § 2(a), amended sub- par. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: ‘‘to use any telephone facsimile ma- chine, computer, or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement to a telephone facsimile machine; or’’. Subsec. (b)(2)(D) to (G). Pub. L. 109–21, § 2(c)–(f), added subpars. (D) to (G). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–21, § 3, added subsec. (g). 2003—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 108–187 inserted ‘‘, or any person outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States’’ after ‘‘United States’’ in in- troductory provisions. 1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 103–414, § 303(a)(11), substituted ‘‘paragraph’’ for ‘‘paragraphs’’. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 103–414, § 303(a)(12), substituted ‘‘national database’’ for ‘‘national datebase’’ after ‘‘such single’’. 1992—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 102–556 added subpar. (C). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2019 AMENDMENT; APPLICABILITY Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(b), Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3276, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall not affect any action or proceeding commenced before and pending on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019].’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title V, § 503(a)(5), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1092, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date on which the Commission [Federal Communications Com- mission] prescribes regulations under paragraph (4) [set out as a note under this section].’’ [Regulations adopt- Page 78 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 ed by Order of Federal Communications Commission released Aug. 5, 2019, with final rule effective Feb. 5, 2020, see 84 F.R. 45669.] EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2003 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 108–187 effective Jan. 1, 2004, see section 16 of Pub. L. 108–187, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7701 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. EFFECTIVE DATE; DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS Pub. L. 102–243, § 3(c), Dec. 20, 1991, 105 Stat. 2402, as amended by Pub. L. 102–556, title I, § 102, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4186, provided that: ‘‘(1) REGULATIONS.—The Federal Communications Commission shall prescribe regulations to implement the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 152 of this title] not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 1991]. ‘‘(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The requirements of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 [this section] (as added by this section), other than the authority to pre- scribe regulations, shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 1991].’’ REGULATIONS Pub. L. 116–105, § 3(c), Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3276, pro- vided that: ‘‘The Commission [Federal Communications Commission] shall prescribe regulations to implement the amendments made by this section [amending this section] not later than 270 days after the date of the en- actment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019].’’ Pub. L. 116–105, § 8(b), Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3283, pro- vided that: ‘‘In the case of any exemption issued under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 227(b)(2) of the Com- munications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(b)(2)) before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], the Commission [Federal Communications Commission] shall, not later than 1 year after such date of enact- ment, prescribe such regulations, or amend such exist- ing regulations, as necessary to ensure that such ex- emption contains each requirement described in sub- paragraph (I) of such section, as added by subsection (a). To the extent such an exemption contains such a requirement before such date of enactment, nothing in this section [amending this section] or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to require the Commission to prescribe or amend regulations relating to such requirement.’’ Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title V, § 503(a)(4)(B), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1092, provided that: ‘‘The Commission [Federal Communications Commission] shall prescribe regulations to implement the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 23, 2018].’’ Pub. L. 114–74, title III, § 301(b), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 588, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 2015], the Federal Communications Commission, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, shall prescribe regula- tions to implement the amendments made by this sec- tion [amending this secton].’’ Pub. L. 109–21, § 2(h), July 9, 2005, 119 Stat. 362, pro- vided that: ‘‘Except as provided in section 227(b)(2)(G)(ii) of the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 227(b)(2)(G)(ii)] (as added by subsection (f)), not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [July 9, 2005], the Federal Communications Com- mission shall issue regulations to implement the amendments made by this section.’’ SEPARABILITY Pub. L. 116–105, § 15, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3290, pro- vided that: ‘‘If any provision of this Act [see Short Title of 2019 Amendment note set out under section 609 of this title], the amendments made by this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Act, the amend- ments made by this Act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.’’ CONSTRUCTION Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title V, § 503(d), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1094, provided that: ‘‘Nothing in this section [enacting section 227a of this title, amending this sec- tion, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section], or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed to modify, limit, or otherwise affect any rule or order adopted by the Commission [Federal Communications Commission] in connection with— ‘‘(1) the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–243; 105 Stat. 2394) [see Short Title of 1991 Amendment note set out under section 609 of this title] or the amendments made by that Act; or ‘‘(2) the CAN–SPAM Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).’’ PROTECTIONS FROM SPOOFED CALLS Pub. L. 116–105, § 7, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3282, pro- vided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], and consistent with the call authentication frameworks under section 4 [47 U.S.C. 227b], the Commission [Fed- eral Communications Commission] shall initiate a rule- making to help protect a subscriber from receiving un- wanted calls or text messages from a caller using an unauthenticated number. ‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In promulgating rules under subsection (a), the Commission shall consider— ‘‘(1) the Government Accountability Office report on combating the fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information re- quired by section 503(c) of division P of the Consoli- dated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) [132 Stat. 1093]; ‘‘(2) the best means of ensuring that a subscriber or provider has the ability to block calls from a caller using an unauthenticated North American Num- bering Plan number; ‘‘(3) the impact on the privacy of a subscriber from unauthenticated calls; ‘‘(4) the effectiveness in verifying the accuracy of caller identification information; and ‘‘(5) the availability and cost of providing protec- tion from the unwanted calls or text messages de- scribed in subsection (a).’’ TRANSITIONAL RULE REGARDING DEFINITION OF TEXT MESSAGE Pub. L. 116–105, § 10(d), Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3285, pro- vided that: ‘‘Paragraph (2) of subsection (i) of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227), as added by subsection (a) of this section, and paragraph (2) of subsection (j) of such section 227, as added by sub- section (b) of this section, shall apply before the effec- tive date of the amendment made to subsection (e)(8) of such section 227 by subparagraph (C) of section 503(a)(2) of division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) [see 2018 Amendment and Ef- fective Date of 2018 Amendment notes set out above] as if such amendment was already in effect.’’ PROTECTION FROM ONE-RING SCAMS Pub. L. 116–105, § 12, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3286, pro- vided that: ‘‘(a) INITIATION OF PROCEEDING.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], the Commission [Federal Communications Commission] shall initiate a proceeding to protect called parties from one-ring scams. ‘‘(b) MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED.—As part of the pro- ceeding required by subsection (a), the Commission shall consider how the Commission can— ‘‘(1) work with Federal and State law enforcement agencies to address one-ring scams; Page 79 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 ‘‘(2) work with the governments of foreign coun- tries to address one-ring scams; ‘‘(3) in consultation with the Federal Trade Com- mission, better educate consumers about how to avoid one-ring scams; ‘‘(4) incentivize voice service providers to stop calls made to perpetrate one-ring scams from being re- ceived by called parties, including consideration of adding identified one-ring scam type numbers to the Commission’s existing list of permissible categories for carrier-initiated blocking; ‘‘(5) work with entities that provide call-blocking services to address one-ring scams; and ‘‘(6) establish obligations on international gateway providers that are the first point of entry for these calls into the United States, including potential re- quirements that such providers verify with the for- eign originator the nature or purpose of calls before initiating service. ‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com- mission shall publish on its website and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of the proceeding required by subsection (a). ‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) ONE-RING SCAM.—The term ‘one-ring scam’ means a scam in which a caller makes a call and al- lows the call to ring the called party for a short dura- tion, in order to prompt the called party to return the call, thereby subjecting the called party to charges. ‘‘(2) STATE.—The term ‘State’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153). ‘‘(3) VOICE SERVICE.—The term ‘voice service’ has the meaning given such term in section 227(e)(8) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(8)). This paragraph shall apply before the effective date of the amendment made to such section by subpara- graph (C) of section 503(a)(2) of division P of the Con- solidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) [see 2018 Amendment and Effective Date of 2018 Amendment notes set out above] as if such amendment was already in effect.’’ ANNUAL ROBOCALL REPORT Pub. L. 116–105, § 13, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3287, pro- vided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], and an- nually thereafter, the Commission [Federal Commu- nications Commission] shall make publicly available on the website of the Commission, and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report on the status of private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls by the registered con- sortium and the participation of voice service providers in such efforts. ‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report required under subsection (a) shall include, at minimum, the fol- lowing: ‘‘(1) A description of private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls by the registered consortium and the actions taken by the registered consortium to coordinate with the Commission. ‘‘(2) A list of voice service providers identified by the registered consortium that participated in pri- vate-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls through the registered consor- tium. ‘‘(3) A list of each voice service provider that re- ceived a request from the registered consortium to participate in private-led efforts to trace back the or- igin of suspected unlawful robocalls and refused to participate, as identified by the registered consor- tium. ‘‘(4) The reason, if any, each voice service provider identified by the registered consortium provided for not participating in private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls. ‘‘(5) A description of how the Commission may use the information provided to the Commission by voice service providers or the registered consortium that have participated in private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls in the en- forcement efforts by the Commission. ‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—Not later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], and annually thereafter, the Commission shall issue a notice to the public seeking additional informa- tion from voice service providers and the registered consortium of private-led efforts to trace back the ori- gin of suspected unlawful robocalls necessary for the report by the Commission required under subsection (a). ‘‘(d) REGISTRATION OF CONSORTIUM OF PRIVATE-LED EFFORTS TO TRACE BACK THE ORIGIN OF SUSPECTED UN- LAWFUL ROBOCALLS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue rules to establish a registration process for the registration of a single consortium that con- ducts private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls. The consortium shall meet the following requirements: ‘‘(A) Be a neutral third party competent to man- age the private-led effort to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls in the judgement of the Commission. ‘‘(B) Maintain a set of written best practices about the management of such efforts and regard- ing providers of voice services’ participation in pri- vate-led efforts to trace back the origin of sus- pected unlawful robocalls. ‘‘(C) Consistent with section 222(d)(2) of the Com- munications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222(d)(2)), any private-led efforts to trace back the origin of sus- pected unlawful robocalls conducted by the third party focus on ‘fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful’ traffic. ‘‘(D) File a notice with the Commission that the consortium intends to conduct private-led efforts to trace back in advance of such registration. ‘‘(2) ANNUAL NOTICE BY THE COMMISSION SEEKING REGISTRATIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commission shall issue a notice to the public seeking the registration described in para- graph (1). ‘‘(e) LIST OF VOICE SERVICE PROVIDERS.—The Commis- sion may publish a list of voice service providers and take appropriate enforcement action based on informa- tion obtained from the consortium about voice service providers that refuse to participate in private-led ef- forts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls, and other information the Commission may collect about voice service providers that are found to originate or transmit substantial amounts of unlawful robocalls. ‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) PRIVATE-LED EFFORT TO TRACE BACK.—The term ‘private-led effort to trace back’ means an effort made by the registered consortium of voice service providers to establish a methodology for determining the origin of a suspected unlawful robocall. ‘‘(2) REGISTERED CONSORTIUM.—The term ‘registered consortium’ means the consortium registered under subsection (d). ‘‘(3) SUSPECTED UNLAWFUL ROBOCALL.—The term ‘suspected unlawful robocall’ means a call that the Commission or a voice service provider reasonably believes was made in violation of subsection (b) or (e) of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227). ‘‘(4) VOICE SERVICE.—The term ‘voice service’— ‘‘(A) means any service that is interconnected with the public switched telephone network and Page 80 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227 that furnishes voice communications to an end user using resources from the North American Num- bering Plan or any successor to the North Amer- ican Numbering Plan adopted by the Commission under section 251(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)(1)); and ‘‘(B) includes— ‘‘(i) transmissions from a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to a tele- phone facsimile machine; and ‘‘(ii) without limitation, any service that en- ables real-time, two-way voice communications, including any service that requires internet pro- tocol-compatible customer premises equipment (commonly known as ‘CPE’) and permits out- bound calling, whether or not the service is one- way or two-way voice over internet protocol.’’ HOSPITAL ROBOCALL PROTECTION GROUP Pub. L. 116–105, § 14, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3288, pro- vided that: ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2019], the Commission [Federal Communications Commission] shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the ‘Hospital Robocall Protection Group’. ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Group shall be composed only of the following members: ‘‘(1) An equal number of representatives from each of the following: ‘‘(A) Voice service providers that serve hospitals. ‘‘(B) Companies that focus on mitigating unlawful robocalls. ‘‘(C) Consumer advocacy organizations. ‘‘(D) Providers of one-way voice over internet pro- tocol services described in subsection (e)(3)(B)(ii). ‘‘(E) Hospitals. ‘‘(F) State government officials focused on com- bating unlawful robocalls. ‘‘(2) One representative of the Commission. ‘‘(3) One representative of the Federal Trade Com- mission. ‘‘(c) ISSUANCE OF BEST PRACTICES.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Group is established under subsection (a), the Group shall issue best prac- tices regarding the following: ‘‘(1) How voice service providers can better combat unlawful robocalls made to hospitals. ‘‘(2) How hospitals can better protect themselves from such calls, including by using unlawful robocall mitigation techniques. ‘‘(3) How the Federal Government and State gov- ernments can help combat such calls. ‘‘(d) PROCEEDING BY FCC.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the best practices are issued by the Group under subsection (c), the Commission shall conclude a proceeding to assess the extent to which the voluntary adoption of such best practices can be facili- tated to protect hospitals and other institutions. ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) GROUP.—The term ‘Group’ means the Hospital Robocall Protection Group established under sub- section (a). ‘‘(2) STATE.—The term ‘State’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153). ‘‘(3) VOICE SERVICE.—The term ‘voice service’— ‘‘(A) means any service that is interconnected with the public switched telephone network and that furnishes voice communications to an end user using resources from the North American Num- bering Plan or any successor to the North Amer- ican Numbering Plan adopted by the Commission under section 251(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)(1)); and ‘‘(B) includes— ‘‘(i) transmissions from a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to a tele- phone facsimile machine; and ‘‘(ii) without limitation, any service that en- ables real-time, two-way voice communications, including any service that requires internet pro- tocol-compatible customer premises equipment (commonly known as ‘CPE’) and permits out- bound calling, whether or not the service is one- way or two-way voice over internet protocol.’’ CONGRESSIONAL STATEMENT OF FINDINGS Pub. L. 102–243, § 2, Dec. 20, 1991, 105 Stat. 2394, pro- vided that: ‘‘The Congress finds that: ‘‘(1) The use of the telephone to market goods and services to the home and other businesses is now per- vasive due to the increased use of cost-effective tele- marketing techniques. ‘‘(2) Over 30,000 businesses actively telemarket goods and services to business and residential cus- tomers. ‘‘(3) More than 300,000 solicitors call more than 18,000,000 Americans every day. ‘‘(4) Total United States sales generated through telemarketing amounted to $435,000,000,000 in 1990, a more than four-fold increase since 1984. ‘‘(5) Unrestricted telemarketing, however, can be an intrusive invasion of privacy and, when an emergency or medical assistance telephone line is seized, a risk to public safety. ‘‘(6) Many consumers are outraged over the pro- liferation of intrusive, nuisance calls to their homes from telemarketers. ‘‘(7) Over half the States now have statutes re- stricting various uses of the telephone for marketing, but telemarketers can evade their prohibitions through interstate operations; therefore, Federal law is needed to control residential telemarketing prac- tices. ‘‘(8) The Constitution does not prohibit restrictions on commercial telemarketing solicitations. ‘‘(9) Individuals’ privacy rights, public safety inter- ests, and commercial freedoms of speech and trade must be balanced in a way that protects the privacy of individuals and permits legitimate telemarketing practices. ‘‘(10) Evidence compiled by the Congress indicates that residential telephone subscribers consider auto- mated or prerecorded telephone calls, regardless of the content or the initiator of the message, to be a nuisance and an invasion of privacy. ‘‘(11) Technologies that might allow consumers to avoid receiving such calls are not universally avail- able, are costly, are unlikely to be enforced, or place an inordinate burden on the consumer. ‘‘(12) Banning such automated or prerecorded tele- phone calls to the home, except when the receiving party consents to receiving the call or when such calls are necessary in an emergency situation affect- ing the health and safety of the consumer, is the only effective means of protecting telephone consumers from this nuisance and privacy invasion. ‘‘(13) While the evidence presented to the Congress indicates that automated or prerecorded calls are a nuisance and an invasion of privacy, regardless of the type of call, the Federal Communications Commis- sion should have the flexibility to design different rules for those types of automated or prerecorded calls that it finds are not considered a nuisance or in- vasion of privacy, or for noncommercial calls, con- sistent with the free speech protections embodied in the First Amendment of the Constitution. ‘‘(14) Businesses also have complained to the Con- gress and the Federal Communications Commission that automated or prerecorded telephone calls are a nuisance, are an invasion of privacy, and interfere with interstate commerce. ‘‘(15) The Federal Communications Commission should consider adopting reasonable restrictions on automated or prerecorded calls to businesses as well as to the home, consistent with the constitutional protections of free speech.’’ DEFINITION Pub. L. 116–105, § 2, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3274, pro- vided that: ‘‘In this Act [see Short Title of 2019 Amend- Page 81 TITLE 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS § 227b ment note set out under section 609 of this title], the term ‘Commission’ means the Federal Communications Commission.’’ § 227a. Consumer education materials on how to avoid scams that rely upon misleading or in- accurate caller identification information (1) Development of materials Not later than 1 year after March 23, 2018, the Commission, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, shall develop consumer edu- cation materials that provide information about— (A) ways for consumers to identify scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information; and (B) existing technologies, if any, that a con- sumer can use to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity. (2) Contents In developing the consumer education mate- rials under paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) identify existing technologies, if any, that can help consumers guard themselves against scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inac- curate caller identification information, in- cluding— (i) descriptions of how a consumer can use the technologies to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity; and (ii) details on how consumers can access and use the technologies; and (B) provide other information that may help consumers identify and avoid scams and other fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. (3) Updates The Commission shall ensure that the con- sumer education materials required under para- graph (1) are updated on a regular basis. (4) Website The Commission shall include the consumer education materials developed under paragraph (1) on its website. (Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title V, § 503(b), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1092.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018, also known as the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, and as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises this chapter. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries DEFINITIONS For definition of ‘‘Commission’’ as used in this sec- tion, see section 2 of div. P of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 155a of this title. § 227b. Call authentication (a) Definitions In this section: (1) STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework The term ‘‘STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework’’ means the secure telephone iden- tity revisited and signature-based handling of asserted information using tokens standards proposed by the information and communica- tions technology industry. (2) Voice service The term ‘‘voice service’’— (A) means any service that is inter- connected with the public switched tele- phone network and that furnishes voice com- munications to an end user using resources from the North American Numbering Plan or any successor to the North American Numbering Plan adopted by the Commission under section 251(e)(1) of this title; and (B) includes— (i) transmissions from a telephone fac- simile machine, computer, or other device to a telephone facsimile machine; and (ii) without limitation, any service that enables real-time, two-way voice commu- nications, including any service that re- quires internet protocol-compatible cus- tomer premises equipment (commonly known as ‘‘CPE’’) and permits out-bound calling, whether or not the service is one- way or two-way voice over internet pro- tocol. (b) Authentication frameworks (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), and in ac- cordance with paragraph (6), not later than 18 months after December 30, 2019, the Commis- sion shall— (A) require a provider of voice service to implement the STIR/SHAKEN authentica- tion framework in the internet protocol net- works of the provider of voice service; and (B) require a provider of voice service to take reasonable measures to implement an effective call authentication framework in the non-internet protocol networks of the provider of voice service. (2) Implementation The Commission shall not take the action described in paragraph (1) with respect to a provider of voice service if the Commission de- termines, not later than 12 months after De- cember 30, 2019, that such provider of voice service— (A) in internet protocol networks— (i) has adopted the STIR/SHAKEN au- thentication framework for calls on the internet protocol networks of the provider of voice service; (ii) has agreed voluntarily to participate with other providers of voice service in the STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework; (iii) has begun to implement the STIR/ SHAKEN authentication framework; and (iv) will be capable of fully imple- menting the STIR/SHAKEN authentica- tion framework not later than 18 months after December 30, 2019; and (B) in non-internet protocol networks— (i) has taken reasonable measures to im- plement an effective call authentication framework; and