S 251 ESRFHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to permit targeted interference with mobile radio services within prison facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. INTERFERENCE PERMITTED WITHIN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Title III of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 333 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 333A. JAMMING UNAUTHORIZED WIRELESS DEVICES IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

‘(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, after the Commission has promulgated final regulations under sections 3 and 4 of the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009, the Commission may authorize the supervisory authority of a correctional facility to operate a jamming system within the correctional facility to prevent, jam, or otherwise interfere with unauthorized wireless communications within the facility by individuals held in the facility. In order to obtain such authority, a supervisory authority shall file a notice of intent under subsection (b), file a petition for such authority under subsection (c), and comply with the requirements of this section and the regulations under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) NOTICE OF INTENT PROCEDURE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) FILING WITH THE COMMISSION- Not less than 30 days before filing a petition for authority to operate a jamming system under subsection (c), a correctional facility supervisory authority shall file with the Commission a notice of intent to seek such authority. The notice shall identify the correctional facility to which the authority will relate and be in such form, and contain such information, as the Commission may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NOTIFICATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES AND COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS- Within 10 days after receiving a notice under paragraph (1), the Commission shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) notify in writing each public safety agency and each commercial mobile service provider serving the area in which the correctional facility to which the notice of intent relates is located; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) provide the name and address of each such agency and provider so notified by the Commission to the supervisory authority that filed the notice of intent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONSULTATION AND ACCESS- Before filing a petition for jamming authority under this section, a supervisory authority--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall consult with the public safety agencies and commercial mobile service providers identified by the Commission under paragraph (2)(B), if such consultation is requested, to determine--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the types of equipment used by those agencies and providers in the area in which the correctional facility is located;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the locations of towers and facilities containing wireless transmission equipment belonging to those agencies and providers in that area, to the extent those agencies and providers voluntarily provide such information; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the frequencies used by those agencies and providers in that area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) shall provide access, upon request and in the discretion of the supervisory authority, by those agencies and providers to the outer perimeter of the correctional facility for the purpose of taking measurements and conducting testing to determine signal strength and the potential for interference with their transmissions or service; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) may solicit recommendations from those agencies and providers on the selection, installation, and configuration of a jamming system and jamming devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) EXTENSION OF CONSULTATION PERIOD- Upon good cause shown, the Commission may require a supervisory authority that has filed a notice of intent under this subsection to provide an additional period of up to 15 days for the activities described in paragraph (3) before submitting a petition for jamming authority to the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) PETITION PROCEDURE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- After completing the consultation process provided under subsection (b)(3) (if such consultation was requested), a supervisory authority may file a petition with the Commission requesting authority to install and operate a jamming system within a correctional facility under the supervisory authority’s jurisdiction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FEE- The Commission may not charge a filing fee for a petition under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Notification of public safety agencies and commercial mobile service providers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES- Upon receipt of a petition under paragraph (1), the Commission shall provide a copy of the petition to each public safety agency serving the area that includes the correctional facility to which the petition applies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) CMS PROVIDERS- Upon receipt of a petition under paragraph (1), the Commission shall provide a copy of the petition to each commercial mobile service provider serving the area that includes the correctional facility to which the petition applies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) CONTENT OF NOTICE- The notice shall include a detailed description of the jamming system and a list of all jamming devices, including make and model, that the supervisory authority proposes to use at the correctional facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Disposition of petition-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- After the Commission has promulgated final regulations under sections 3 and 4 of the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009, the Commission shall act on a petition under this subsection within 60 days after the date on which the Commission receives a complete petition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DETERMINATION CONSIDERATIONS- In determining whether to grant requested jamming authority, the Commission--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) shall consider, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the proposed jamming system would interfere with emergency or public safety agency communications and the extent to which the proposed jamming system may cause harmful interference to commercial mobile service communications outside the boundaries of the correctional facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) shall consider whether the facility in question is located in an urban area (as defined by the Commission for purposes of this subsection); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) shall address the potential interference with public safety agency communications and commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332(d)(1)) in such area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) PUBLIC COMMENT- Before making a determination under this paragraph, the Commission shall allow interested parties to submit evidence for the record regarding the interference potential of the jamming system a supervisory authority proposes to use at the correctional facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Post-petition coordination-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) FCC NOTIFICATION- When the Commission approves a petition under this section, the Commission shall notify each public safety agency or commercial mobile service provider serving the area in which the correctional facility to which the petition relates is located.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) COORDINATION REQUEST- When any such agency or provider is notified by the Commission under subparagraph (A), it shall immediately notify the supervisory authority of the correctional facility if it intends to participate in the coordination under subparagraph (C) or the examination under subparagraph (D).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION- During the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the Commission approves a petition, the correctional facility supervising authority that filed the petition shall, upon request, coordinate the installation and configuration of the jamming system authorized by the Commission with any public safety agency or commercial mobile service provider serving the area in which the correctional facility is located.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) INSPECTION- Except as provided in subparagraph (E), before commencing the operation of a jamming system authorized by the Commission, the correctional facility supervisory authority that filed the petition shall, upon request, provide access to the correctional facility to any such public safety agency or commercial mobile service provider for the purpose of examining the installation or configuration of the jamming system and jamming devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS- Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, a correctional facility supervisory authority authorized by the Commission to operate a jamming system may commence operation of the system 30 days after the date on which the Commission approves the petition filed by that authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) TERMS OF AUTHORIZATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) TERM- If the Commission grants a petition under this section, the authority granted pursuant to that petition shall be in effect for a term specified by the Commission of not more than 5 years, but shall be renewable by petition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF AUTHORITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) NOTICE FROM PROVIDER- The Commission shall immediately suspend authorization granted under this section with respect to a correctional facility upon receiving written notice from a commercial mobile service provider, supported by affidavit and such documentation as the Commission may require, stating that use of a jamming device by or at such correctional facility is interfering with commercial mobile service, or is otherwise preventing or jamming such communications (other than within the correctional facility).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) BASIS FOR NOTICE- In establishing the requirements for the affidavit in subparagraph (A) and the necessary supporting documentation, the Commission shall require, at a minimum, that the commercial mobile service provider perform actual testing and measurements in the area near the correctional facility and submit the results to the Commission. Notice pursuant to subparagraph (A) may not be predicated exclusively on customer complaints or trouble reports unsupported by relevant technical analysis suggesting interference.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) NOTICE FROM PUBLIC SAFETY LICENSEE- The Commission shall immediately suspend an authorization granted under this section with respect to a correctional facility upon receiving written notice from a public safety agency, supported by affidavit and such documentation as the Commission may require, stating that use of a device by or at such correctional facility is interfering with public safety agency communications systems or otherwise preventing or jamming communications on that system, and describing the nature of the interference.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) DEADLINE FOR ACTION ON NOTICE- Within 90 days after receiving notice under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (C), the Commission shall conclude an investigation to determine whether the jamming device authorized for use at the correctional facility is causing such interference and, based on its findings and conclusions, may issue an order reinstating, modifying, or terminating the authorization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) NONCOMPLIANT USAGE- If the Commission has reason to believe that a correctional facility for which an authorization has been granted under this section is not in compliance with the regulations under this section, the Commission shall immediately suspend the authorization until it can make a determination with respect to such compliance after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) REVOCATION- The Commission may revoke an authorization under this section for willful or repeated violations, or failure to observe the requirements, of the terms of the authorization or the regulations promulgated by the Commission under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) INTERIM USAGE- If the Commission initiates a suspension or a revocation proceeding under this subsection, it shall prohibit use of an authorized jamming system or device at the correctional facility during the pendency of any such proceeding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Limitations on Authorization-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) TRANSFER PROHIBITED- A correctional facility supervisory authority authorized by the Commission to operate a jamming system may not transfer the ownership or right to use the jamming system or associated jamming devices to any third party for use inside or outside the area of the correctional facility for which the authorization was granted.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) LOCATION; USE BY OTHER PARTIES- The Commission shall require any correctional facility supervisory authority to prevent the use of an authorized jamming system (including any jamming device used by the system)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) in any location other than the correctional facility where use of the system is authorized; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) by any entity other than the correctional facility where use of the jamming system is authorized.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) LIMITATIONS ON USE- The Commission shall require that any correctional facility supervisory authority granted authority under this section to operate a jamming system--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) utilize only a jamming device--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) authorized by the Commission; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) specifically approved by the Commission for the purposes of this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) operate the jamming device at the lowest possible transmission power necessary to prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications by within the facility by individuals held in the facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) operate the device on a directionalized basis, and utilizing all other reasonable interference-limiting capabilities, in a manner that does not interfere with public safety agency communications or lawful commercial wireless communications that originate and terminate inside or outside the area of the correctional facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) operate the jamming device only in the frequencies necessary to prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications within the correctional facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) have a documented method of controlling custody of such devices and ensure that any jamming device operated pursuant to the authority is destroyed upon expiration of the authority, or at such time as a jamming device is removed from service for any other reason, including replacement by another device;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) have a documented method of inspecting the jamming system on a quarterly basis to ensure proper functioning, and a documented method to limit access to the system to personnel specifically designated by the correctional facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) install the jamming system in a secure area that is inaccessible to individuals held in the facility and connect the system to a permanent power supply with back-up power sources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) have a documented method of sealing or locking the jamming system so as to prevent tampering.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) DESTRUCTION OF UNUSED OR EXPIRED JAMMING DEVICES; NOTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL JAMMING DEVICE ACQUISITIONS- Any correctional facility supervisory authority authorized to operate a jamming system shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) destroy a jamming device within 60 days after the date on which such authorization expires unless a petition is pending for renewal of the authorization;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) destroy any such jamming device that is permanently removed from service;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) certify such destruction to the Commission; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) notify the Commission upon the acquisition of any jamming device that replaces a destroyed device.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) DATABASE- The Commission shall maintain an electronic database containing a copy of each notice of intent and each petition received by it under this section and the disposition thereof. The Commission shall update the database at least monthly and, to the extent consistent with public safety and welfare, shall make the contents of the database available upon request to a commercial mobile service provider or public safety agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) DEFINITIONS- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDER- The term ‘commercial mobile service provider’ means a person providing commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332(d)(1)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CORRECTIONAL FACILITY- In this subsection, the term ‘correctional facility’ means a jail, prison, penitentiary, or other correctional facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) JAMMING DEVICE- The term ‘jamming device’ means a radio signal generating device used as part of a jamming system designed to disrupt, prevent, interfere with, or jam wireless communications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) JAMMING SYSTEM- The term ‘jamming system’ means a system of radio signal generating and processing equipment and antennas designed to disrupt, prevent, interfere with, or jam wireless communications within a correctional facility and includes the components and functionality of the system, such as antennas, cabling, and cable elements, the installation, interconnection, and operation of system elements, power levels, and radio frequencies carried on the cables or fed into antennas, the radiation pattern of such antennas, and the location and orientation of the antennas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY- The term ‘public safety agency’ has the meaning given that term in section 3006(j)(1) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (47 U.S.C. 309 note).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY- The term ‘supervisory authority’ means the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the chief executive officer of a State (or his or her designee), or the person in charge of a county or local correctional facility not under the authority of the chief executive officer of a State.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. FCC RULEMAKING REQUIRED.

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding and shall promulgate final regulations governing the use of jamming systems in correctional facilities under section 333A of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 333A). In the proceeding, the Commission shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) solicit and consider the recommendations of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as well as 1 or more entities with relevant technical expertise in order to develop standards and processes for such jamming systems and jamming devices (as such terms are defined in that section); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) consider all available technologies capable of preventing the operation of unauthorized wireless communications devices in correctional facilities, including those devices that may evade detection by the supervisory authority of such a facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. DEVICE CERTIFICATION CRITERIA RULEMAKING.

(a) IN GENERAL- Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall adopt a final rule establishing criteria for certification for the manufacture, sale, importation, and interstate shipment of devices that may be used pursuant to authorization under section 333A of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 333A), notwithstanding section 302 of such Act (47 U.S.C. 302). In carrying out the requirements of this subsection, the Commission shall consider whether such devices can effectively prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications within a correctional facility (as defined in section 333A(g)(2) of that Act (47 U.S.C. 333A(g)(2))) without causing harmful interference with commercial mobile services between points outside facility boundaries, or public safety agency wireless communications services between points inside, pursuant to a public safety agency responding to an incident in a correctional facility, and outside facility boundaries. The regulations shall require, at a minimum, that any such device--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) operate at the lowest technically feasible transmission power that will permit correctional facility staff to prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications within the geographic boundaries of a correctional facility by individuals held in the facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) be capable of directionalized operation and limited to approved frequencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) comply with any other technical standards deemed necessary or appropriate by the Commission to ensure that the device does not create interference to other than the targeted wireless communications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) be marketed and sold only to correctional facility supervisory authority (as defined in section 333A(g) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 333A(g)) authorized by the Commission under section 333A) of that Act (47 U.S.C. 333A) to possess and operate such a device; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) is capable of being shut off from jamming public safety agency communications within and around a correctional facility when a public safety agency is responding to an incident at the facility, such as a fire, explosion, medical emergency, or otherwise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) TECHNICIAN CREDENTIALING- As part of the rulemaking proceeding required by subsection (a), the Commission shall seek public comment on whether to establish minimum training, certification, and eligibility requirements for technicians qualified to work on jamming systems installed and operated by a supervisory authority. The Commission may establish such training, certification, and eligibility criteria as part of the final rule adopted under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) CERTIFICATION PROCESS- The Commission shall conduct field testing of proposed devices to determine whether they can operate without causing harmful interference with commercial mobile service communications outside the boundaries of such a correctional facility or public safety agency wireless communications inside, pursuant to a public safety entity responding to an incident in a correctional facility, and outside the boundaries of such a correctional facility. The Commission shall conduct such testing through a public testing process and program. After the date on which the final rule promulgated under subsection (a) is published in the Federal Register, the Commission shall grant or deny an application for certification of a device described in subsection (a) within 120 calendar days of receiving an application therefor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) LIST OF DEVICES- The Commission shall maintain a list of all approved devices on its web site including the make and model of each approved device and its technical specifications and operating parameters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the Senate October 5, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Secretary.