Skip to main content
S 3624 111th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Competition and antitrust Consumer affairs Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Telephone and wireless communication

Freedom For Consumer Choice Act

Introduced: July 21, 2010 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 21, 2010
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 21, 2010
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Freedom for Consumer Choice Act - States U.S. government policy with regard to: (1) the promotion of the widespread availability of communications services; (2) the promotion of the integrity of communications facilities through investment and innovation in advanced communications networks; and (3) the economic regulation of communications markets.

Makes it unlawful for providers of electronic communication services to engage or participate in: (1) unfair methods of competition in or affecting electronic communications networks and services; or (2) unfair or deceptive practices in or affecting such networks and services.

Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), by rule, to define the acts or practices that shall constitute such unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

Bars the FCC from having any authority to issue rules that declare unlawful an act or practice on the grounds that it is an unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice, except that the FCC may declare an act or practice unlawful if: (1) marketplace competition is insufficient to adequately protect consumer welfare; and (2) such act or practice causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers, is unavoidable by consumers themselves, and is outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition.

Terminates any rule promulgated under this Act five years after its effective date unless the FCC makes an affirmative determination that such rule continues to be necessary.

Grants the FCC the authority to hear complaints from any party injured by a violation of the prohibitions under this Act and to award damages to such party if such a violation has occurred.

Sets forth specified additional authorities of the FCC.

What's happening now July 21, 2010

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1