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Public Law117th CongressScience, Technology, Communications
H.R. 7132Became Law

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 7, 2022)

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This act establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The act (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

What just happenedDec 7, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-223.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2](D-NH)Sponsor
8 cosponsors7 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
8cosponsors1committees28actions2related bills6subjects
  1. Dec 7, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-223.

  2. Dec 7, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-223.

  3. Dec 7, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 7, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 2, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 2, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Nov 25, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Nov 17, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6770)

  9. Nov 17, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6770)

  10. Jul 28, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate, read twice.

  11. Jul 27, 2022FloorH37300

    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1254, and the motion offered by Mr. Kildee, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 623, as amended; H.R. 3952, as amended; H.R. 3962, as amended; H.R. 4551; H.R. 5313, as amended; H.R. 6933; H.R. 7132, as amended; H.R. 7361; H.R. 7569; H.R. 7624, as amended; H.R. 7733, as amended; and H.R. 7981, as amended. (consideration: CR H7197-7211, H7219-7220, H7223-7237; text: 07/26/2022 CR H7103-7105)

  12. Jul 27, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1254, and the motion offered by Mr. Kildee, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 623, as amended; H.R. 3952, as amended; H.R. 3962, as amended; H.R. 4551; H.R. 5313, as amended; H.R. 6933; H.R. 7132, as amended; H.R. 7361; H.R. 7569; H.R. 7624, as amended; H.R. 7733, as amended; and H.R. 7981, as amended.(consideration: CR H7197-7211, H7219-7220, H7223-7237; text: 07/26/2022 CR H7103-7105)

  13. Jul 27, 2022FloorH1B000

    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1254, proceedings on H.R. 7132 are considered vacated.

  14. Jul 26, 2022FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  15. Jul 26, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7132.

  16. Jul 26, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7103-7106)

  17. Jul 26, 2022FloorH30300

    Mr. Doyle, Michael F. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  18. Jul 26, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 342.

  19. Jul 26, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-438.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  20. Jul 26, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-438.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Jul 13, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 53 - 0.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  22. Jul 13, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  23. Jun 15, 2022Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 0 .

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  24. Jun 15, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  25. Mar 18, 2022Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  26. Mar 17, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  27. Mar 17, 2022IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  28. Mar 17, 2022IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 7, 202249

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This act establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The act (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

Passed SenateNov 17, 202255

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This bill establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The bill (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

Passed HouseJul 27, 202253

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This bill establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The bill (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

Reported to HouseJul 26, 20227

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This bill establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The bill (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

Introduced in HouseMar 17, 2022

Safe Connections Act of 2022

This bill establishes requirements concerning access to communication services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related harms.

At a survivor's request, a mobile service provider must separate from a shared mobile service contract the survivor's line (and the line of any individual in the survivor's care) from the abuser's line unless separation is operationally or technologically infeasible. A survivor requesting this must (1) verify through appropriate documentation that an individual under the contract committed or allegedly committed an act of domestic violence, trafficking, or a related criminal act against the survivor; and (2) assume financial responsibility for services after a line separation.

A provider may not charge fees or impose other requirements on such requests. Additionally, a provider must

  • separate the line within two business days of receiving a request;
  • allow requests to be made remotely (if feasible);
  • meet conditions related to confidentiality of, disposal of, and other matters concerning communications about requests; and
  • make information about the process for requests available through consumer-facing communications (e.g., websites).

The bill (1) provides liability protection for providers' acts or omissions undertaken to comply with such requests, and (2) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules for these requests.

Additionally, the FCC must (1) expand access to federally subsidized communication services for survivors facing financial hardship, and (2) evaluate this expanded access.

The FCC must also consider rules requiring communication service providers to omit from consumer-facing logs calls and texts to hotlines for domestic violence and similar issues while retaining internal records.

Safe Connections Act of 2022 — Informed