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S 251 111th Congress Senate 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: January 15, 2009 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 19, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Oct 6, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Oct 6, 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.
Oct 6, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Oct 6, 2009
Received in the House.
Oct 6, 2009
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 5, 2009
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10115-10117; text as passed Senate: CR S10115-10117)
Oct 5, 2009
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10115-10117; text as passed Senate: CR S10115-10117)
Sep 24, 2009
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 166.
Sep 24, 2009
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-79.
Aug 5, 2009
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 15, 2009
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Jan 15, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 15, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit the supervisory authority of a correctional facility to operate a jamming system within the facility to prevent, jam, or otherwise interfere with unauthorized wireless communications by individuals held in the facility. Defines "supervisory authority" as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the chief executive officer of a state, or the person in charge of a county or local correctional facility not under the authority of the chief executive officer of a state.

Requires the supervisory authority: (1) to file a notice of intent with the FCC; and (2) if requested by the public agencies and commercial mobile service providers identified by the FCC, consult with them to determine the types of equipment, facilities and frequencies in use in the correctional facility's area, and provide testing access to the outer perimeter of the correctional facility. Authorizes the supervisory authority upon completion of such procedures to file a petition with the FCC to install and operate a jamming system. Requires FCC action within 60 days of petition receipt.

States that an approved petition shall be: (1) valid for up to five years and renewable; and (2) terminated or suspended if the FCC receives notice from a commercial mobile service provider, supported by affidavit and documentation, that the correctional facility jamming device is interfering with commercial mobile service.

Sets forth jamming use limitations.

Requires a supervisory authority to: (1) destroy a jamming device within 60 days after an authorization expires; (2) destroy a jamming device that is permanently removed from service; (3) certify such destruction to the FCC; and (4) notify the FCC upon acquisition of any jamming device that replaces a destroyed device.

Requires the FCC to maintain a petition database.

(Sec. 3) Requires the FCC to promulgate final regulations governing the use of wireless jamming systems in correctional facilities within 180 days of enactment of this Act.

(Sec. 4) Requires the FCC to: (1) adopt a final rule within 120 days of enactment of this Act establishing the criteria for the manufacture, sale, importation, and interstate shipment of jamming devices; and (2) maintain a website list of all approved devices.


What's happening now October 19, 2009

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 4