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HR 560 111th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Correctional facilities and imprisonment Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government information and archives Telephone and wireless communication

Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009

Introduced: February 13, 2009 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 16, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 16, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
Jan 15, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Jan 15, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 15, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Jan 15, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the chief executive officer of a state to petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit the installation of devices to prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications within the geographic boundaries of a specific prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility under his or her jurisdiction.

Requires that the device be operated on a directional basis, using all other interference-limiting capabilities available to the device, or otherwise so that the device does not interfere with wireless communications that originate and terminate outside the area of the prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility.

Requires the FCC to adopt a final rule establishing criteria for certification for the manufacture, sale, importation, and interstate shipment of such devices.

What's happening now March 16, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 560: Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-560/
MLA
"H.R. 560: Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-560/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 560, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-560/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 560: Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-560/)
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