VRS and IP CTS-Commencement of Pending User Registration; Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, 88257-88261 [2023-28007]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
or in any other area where the EPA or
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the rule does not have
tribal implications and will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
Executive Order 12898 (Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
Feb. 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies
to identify and address
‘‘disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects’’
of their actions on minority populations
and low-income populations to the
greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law. The EPA defines
environmental justice (EJ) as ‘‘the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect
to the development, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.’’ The EPA
further defines the term fair treatment to
mean that ‘‘no group of people should
bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks,
including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of
industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and
policies.’’
The District did not evaluate
environmental justice considerations as
part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and
applicable implementing regulations
neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA did not perform an
EJ analysis and did not consider EJ in
this action. Consideration of EJ is not
required as part of this action, and there
is no information in the record
inconsistent with the stated goals of
E.O. 12898 of achieving environmental
justice for people of color, low-income
populations, and indigenous peoples.
This action is subject to the
Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House
of the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. This action
is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by February 20,
2024. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of
this final rule does not affect the finality
of this action for the purposes of judicial
review nor does it extend the time
within which a petition for judicial
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review may be filed, and shall not
postpone the effectiveness of such rule
or action. This action may not be
challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Particulate Matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: December 14, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F—California
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
adding paragraph (c)(607) to read as
follows:
■
§ 52.220
Identification of plan-in part.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(607) The following regulations were
submitted on July 5, 2022, by the
Governor’s designee.
(ii) Incorporation by reference. (A)
Great Basin Unified Air Pollution
Control District.
(ii) Rule 222, ‘‘New Source Review
Requirements for New and Modified
Major Sources in Nonattainment Areas,’’
adopted on January 6, 2022.
(2) [Reserved]
(B) [Reserved]
(ii) [Reserved]
3. Section 52.281 is amended by
adding paragraph (d)(13) to read as
follows:
■
§ 52.281
Visibility protection.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(13) Great Basin Unified Air Pollution
Control District.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2023–27889 Filed 12–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 64
[CG Docket Nos. 03–123, 10–51, 13–24 and
WC Docket No. 12–375; FCC 22–51; FCC
22–76; FR ID 191657]
VRS and IP CTS—Commencement of
Pending User Registration; Rates for
Interstate Inmate Calling Services
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of
effective and compliance dates.
AGENCY:
In this document, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC or
Commission) announces that the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved, for a period of three years, the
information collection associated with
certain rules adopted in the
Commission’s documents
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities et al., Report and Order,
FCC 22–51, and Rates for Interstate
Inmate Calling Services, Fourth Report
and Order, FCC 22–76. This document
is consistent with the Report and
Orders, which stated that the
Commission would publish a document
in the Federal Register announcing the
effective date of those rules.
DATES:
Effective date: The amendments to
§§ 64.611(k)(1)(i) through (iii)
(amendatory instruction 6), 64.6040(c)
(amendatory instruction 11), and
64.6060(a)(5) through (7) (amendatory
instruction 12), published at 87 FR
75496, December 9, 2022, are effective
December 21, 2023.
Compliance dates: Compliance with
§ 64.6040(b)(2), published at 87 FR
75496, December 9, 2022, is required by
January 1, 2024. Compliance with
§§ 64.611(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) and
64.615(a)(6)(v) and (vi), published at 87
FR 57645, September 21, 2022, for
providers of video relay service (VRS),
is required on December 21, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Scott, Disability Rights Office,
Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau, at (202) 418–1264, or email:
Michael.Scott@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
document announces that, on December
5, 2023, and December 13, 2023, OMB
approved, for a period of three years, the
information collection requirements
contained in the Commission’s Report
and Order, FCC 22–51, published at 87
FR 57645, September 21, 2022, and
SUMMARY:
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Report and Order FCC 22–76, published
at 87 FR 75496, December 9, 2022. The
OMB Control Numbers are 3060–1053
and 3060–1089. The Commission
publishes this document as an
announcement of the effective and
compliance dates of the rules. On March
8, 2023, the Commission published an
effective date notification, at 88 FR
14251, for the programmatic changes
adopted in FCC 22–51 that apply to the
provision of Internet Protocol captioned
telephone relay service (IP CTS),
specifically 47 CFR 64.611 (amendatory
instruction 3) and 64.615 (amendatory
instruction 4). If you have any
comments on the burden estimates
listed below, or how the Commission
can improve the collections and reduce
any burdens caused thereby, please
contact Cathy Williams, Federal
Communications Commission, via
email: Cathy.Willilams@fcc.gov. Please
include the OMB Control Numbers,
3060–1053 or 3060–1089, in your
correspondence. The Commission will
also accept your comments via the
internet if you send them to PRA@
fcc.gov.
To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities
(Braille, large print, electronic files,
audio format), send an email to fcc504@
fcc.gov or call the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)
418–0530 (voice).
Synopsis
As required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507),
the FCC is notifying the public that it
received OMB approval on December 5,
2023, and December 13, 2023, for the
information collection requirements
contained in the Commission’s
documents FCC 22–51 and FCC 22–76.
Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency
may not conduct or sponsor a collection
of information unless it displays a
current, valid OMB Control Number.
No person shall be subject to any
penalty for failing to comply with a
collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act that does not
display a current, valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Numbers are
3060–1053 and 3060–1089.
The foregoing notification is required
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, Public Law 104–13, October 1,
1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
The total annual reporting burdens
and costs for the respondents are as
follows:
OMB Control Number: 3060–1053.
OMB Approval Date: December 13,
2023.
OMB Expiration Date: December 31,
2026.
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Title: Misuse of Internet Protocol
Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS);
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13–24 and
03–123.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 187,173 respondents;
673,980 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.1
hours (6 minutes) to 40 hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual, every
five years, monthly, and ongoing
reporting requirements; Recordkeeping
requirements; Third party disclosure
requirements.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for the information collection
requirements is found at sec. 225 [47
U.S.C. 225] Telecommunications
Services for Hearing-Impaired
Individuals; The Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA), Public
Law 101–336, 104 Stat. 327, 366–69,
enacted on July 26, 1990.
Total Annual Burden: 342,103 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $72,000.
Needs and Uses:
On August 1, 2003, the Commission
released Telecommunication Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98–67,
Declaratory Ruling, 68 FR 55898,
September 28, 2003, clarifying that oneline captioned telephone voice carry
over (VCO) service is a type of
telecommunications relay service (TRS)
and that eligible providers of such
services are eligible to recover their
costs from the Interstate TRS Fund
(Fund) in accordance with section 225
of the Communications Act.
On July 19, 2005, the Commission
released Telecommunication Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98–67 and
CG Docket No. 03–123, Order, 70 FR
54294, September 14, 2005, clarifying
that two-line captioned telephone VCO
service, like one-line captioned
telephone VCO service, is a type of TRS
eligible for compensation from the
Fund.
On January 11, 2007, the Commission
released Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03–123,
Declaratory Ruling, 72 FR 6960,
February 14, 2007, granting a request for
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clarification that Internet Protocol
captioned telephone relay service is a
type of TRS eligible for compensation
from the Fund.
On August 26, 2013, the Commission
issued Misuse of Internet Protocol
Captioned Telephone Service;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13–24 and
03–123, Report and Order, 78 FR 53684,
August 30, 2013, to regulate practices
relating to the marketing of IP CTS,
impose certain requirements for the
provision of this service, and mandate
registration and certification of IP CTS
users.
On June 8, 2018, the Commission
issued Misuse of Internet Protocol
Captioned Telephone Service;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13–24 and
03–123, Report and Order and
Declaratory Ruling, 83 FR 30082, June
27, 2018 (2018 IP CTS Modernization
Order), to facilitate the Commission’s
efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse
and improve its ability to efficiently
manage the IP CTS program through
regulating practices related to the
marketing of IP CTS, generally
prohibiting the provision of IP CTS to
consumers who do not genuinely need
the service, permitting the provision of
IP CTS in emergency shelters, and
approving the use of automatic speech
recognition to generate captions without
the assistance of a communications
assistant.
On February 15, 2019, the
Commission issued Misuse of Internet
Protocol Captioned Telephone Service;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13–24 and
03–123, Report and Order and Order, 84
FR 8457, March 8, 2019 (2019 IP CTS
Program Management Order), requiring
the submission of IP CTS user
registration information to the
telecommunications relay service (TRS)
User Registration Database (Database) so
that the Database administrator can
verify IP CTS users to reduce the risk of
waste, fraud, and abuse in the IP CTS
program.
On June 30, 2022, the Commission
issued Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities; Structure and Practices of
the Video Relay Service Program;
Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned
Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03–
123, 10–51, and 13–24, Report and
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Order, published at 87 FR 57645,
September 21, 2022 (Registration Grace
Period Order), allowing IP CTS and
Video Relay Service (VRS) providers to
provide compensable service to a new
user for up to two weeks after
submitting the user’s information to the
Database if the user’s identity is verified
within that period, in order to offer
more efficient service to IP CTS and
VRS users without risk of waste, fraud,
and abuse to the Fund.
On September 30, 2022, the
Commission released Rates for
Interstate Inmate Calling Services, FCC
22–76, published at 87 FR 75496,
December 9, 2022 (Accessible Carceral
Communications Order). To improve
access to communications services for
incarcerated people with
communications disabilities, the
Commission adopted modifications to
the user registration and verification
requirements applicable to the provision
of IP CTS and VRS for use of internetbased TRS in correctional facilities.
OMB Control No.: 3060–1089.
OMB Approval Date: December 5,
2023.
OMB Expiration Date: December 31,
2026.
Title: Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Service Program;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 10–51 &
03–123.
Form No.: N/A.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; Individuals or
households;
Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 187,019 respondents;
1,836,456 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.05
hours (3 minutes) to 300 hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual,
monthly, on occasion, on-going, onetime, and quarterly reporting
requirements; recordkeeping
requirement; and third-party disclosure
requirements.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for the collection is contained
in section 225 of the Communications
Act, 47 U.S.C. 225. The law was enacted
on July 26, 1990, as title IV of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), Public Law 101–336, 104 Stat.
327, 366–69, and amended by the
Twenty-First Century Communications
and Video Accessibility Act of 2010,
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Public Law 111–260, 103(a), 124 Stat.
2751, 2755 (2010) (CVAA); Public Law
111–265 (technical amendments to
CVAA).
Total Annual Burden: 320,484 hours.
Annual Cost Burden: $280,200.
Needs and Uses:
The telecommunications relay service
(TRS) program enables access to the
nation’s telephone network by persons
with hearing and speech disabilities. In
1991, as required by the Americans with
Disabilities Act and codified at 47
U.S.C. 225, the Commission adopted
rules governing the telecommunications
relay services (TRS) program and
procedures for each state TRS program
to apply for initial Commission
certification and renewal of Commission
certification of each state program.
Telecommunications Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, Report and
Order and Request for Comments,
document FCC 91–213, published at 56
FR 36729, August 1, 1991 (1991 TRS
Implementation Order).
Between 2008 and 2011, to integrate
internet-based TRS into the North
American Numbering plan and facilitate
interoperability, universal calling, and
911 emergency services, the
Commission adopted rules in three
separate orders related to the telephone
numbering system and enhanced 911
(E911) services for users of two forms of
internet-based TRS: Video Relay Service
(VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay
service (IP Relay). See document FCC
08–151, Report and Order, published at
73 FR 41286, July 18, 2008 (First
Numbering Order); document FCC 08–
275, Second Report and Order and
Order on Reconsideration, published at
73 FR 79683, December 30, 2008
(Second Numbering Order); and
document FCC 11–123, Report and
Order, published at 76 FR 59551,
September 27, 2011 (internet-based TRS
Toll Free Order).
The rules adopted in these three
orders have information collection
requirements that include requiring VRS
and IP Relay providers to: register each
user who selects the provider as his or
her default provider, including
obtaining a self-certification from each
user; verify the accuracy of each user’s
registration information; provision and
maintain their registered users’ routing
information to the TRS Numbering
Directory; place their users’ Registered
Location and certain callback
information in Automatic Location
Information (ALI) databases across the
country and provide a means for their
users to update their Registered
Locations; include advisories on their
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websites and in any promotional
materials addressing numbering and
E911 services for VRS or IP Relay; verify
in the TRS Numbering Directory
whether each dial-around user is
registered with another provider; and if
they provide equipment to a consumer,
make available to other VRS providers
enough information about that
equipment to enable another VRS
provider selected as the consumer’s
default provider to perform all of the
functions of a default provider.
On July 28, 2011, the Commission
released Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Service Program, document
FCC 11–118, published at 76 FR 47469,
August 5, 2011, and at 76 FR 47476,
August 5, 2011 (VRS Certification
Order), adopting final and interim
rules—designed to help prevent waste,
fraud, and abuse, and ensure quality
service, in the provision of internetbased forms of TRS. On October 17,
2011, the Commission released
Structure and Practices of the Video
Relay Service Program, Memorandum
Opinion and Order and Order,
document FCC 11–155, published at 76
FR 67070, October 31, 2011 (VRS
Certification Reconsideration Order),
modifying two aspects of information
collection requirements contained in the
VRS Certification Order.
On June 10, 2013, the Commission
made permanent the interim rules
adopted in the VRS Certification Order.
Structure and Practices of the Video
Relay Service Program;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, Report and Order,
document FCC 13–82, published at 78
FR 40582, July 5, 2013 (2013 VRS
Reform Order).
The VRS Certification Order as
modified by the VRS Certification
Reconsideration Order and, as
applicable, made permanent by the 2013
VRS Reform Order, amended the
Commission’s process for certifying
internet-based TRS providers as eligible
for payment from the Interstate TRS
Fund (Fund) for their provision of
internet-based TRS to ensure that
internet-based TRS providers receiving
certification are qualified to provide
internet-based TRS in compliance with
the Commission’s rules and to eliminate
waste, fraud and abuse through
improved oversight of such providers.
They contain information collection
requirements including: submission of
detailed information in an application
for certification that shows the
applicant’s ability to comply with the
Commission’s rules; submission of
annual reports that include updates to
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the provider’s information on file with
the Commission or a certification that
there are no changes to the information;
requirements for a senior executive of
an applicant for internet-based TRS
certification or an internet-based TRS
provider, when submitting an annual
compliance report, to certify under
penalty of perjury to its accuracy and
completeness; requirements for VRS
providers to obtain prior authorization
from the Commission for planned
interruptions of service, to report to the
Commission unforeseen interruptions of
service, and to provide notification of
temporary service outages, including
updates, to consumers on their websites;
and requirements for internet-based TRS
providers that will no longer be
providing service to give their
customers notice at least 30-days in
advance.
In the 2013 VRS Reform Order, the
Commission adopted further measures
to improve the structure, efficiency, and
quality of the VRS program, reducing
the noted inefficiencies in the program,
as well as reducing the risk of waste,
fraud, and abuse, and ensuring that the
program makes full use of advances in
commercially-available technology. The
Commission required reporting of
unauthorized and unnecessary use of
VRS; established a central TRS user
registration database (TRS–URD) for
VRS, which incorporates a centralized
eligibility verification requirement to
ensure accurate registration and
verification of users, as well as per-call
validation, to achieve more effective
prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse;
established procedures to prevent
unauthorized changes of a user’s default
TRS provider; and established
procedures to protect TRS users’
customer proprietary network
information (CPNI) from disclosure.
On March 23, 2017, the Commission
released Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Services Program et al.,
FCC 17–26, published at 82 FR 17754,
April 13, 2017 (2017 VRS Improvements
Order), which among other things,
allows VRS providers to assign TRS
Numbering Directory 10-digit telephone
numbers to hearing individuals for the
limited purpose of making point-topoint video calls, and gives VRS
providers the option to participate in an
at-home call handling pilot program,
subject to certain limitations, as well as
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements.
On May 15, 2019, the Commission
released Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Service Program;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
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Disabilities, FCC 19–39, published at 84
FR 26364, June 6, 2019 (2019 VRS
Program Management Order). The
Commission further improved the
structure, efficiency, and quality of the
VRS program, reduced the risk of waste,
fraud, and abuse, and ensured that the
program makes full use of advances in
commercially-available technology.
These improvements include
information collection requirements,
including: the establishment of
procedures to register enterprise and
public videophones to the TRS–URD;
and permitting Qualified Direct Video
Calling (DVC) Entities to access the TRS
Numbering Directory and establishing
an application procedure to authorize
such access, including rules governing
DVC entities and entry of information in
the TRS Numbering Directory and the
TRS–URD.
On August 2, 2019, the Commission
released Implementing Kari’s Law and
Section 506 of RAY BAUM’s Act;
Inquiry Concerning 911 Access, Routing,
and Location in Enterprise
Communications Systems; Amending
the Definition of Interconnected VoIP
Service in Section 9.3 of the
Commission’s Rules, FCC 19–76,
published at 84 FR 66716, December 5,
2019 (MLTS 911 and Dispatchable
Location Order). The Commission
amended its rules to ensure that the
dispatchable location is conveyed to a
Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
with a 911 call, regardless of the
technological platform used. Based on
the directive in section 506 of RAY
BAUM’S Act, the Commission adopted
dispatchable location requirements that
in effect modified the existing
information collection requirements
applicable to VRS, IP Relay, and
covered internet Protocol captioned
telephone service by improving the
options for providing accurate location
information to PSAPs as part of 911
calls.
Fixed internet-based TRS devices
must provide automated dispatchable
location. For non-fixed devices, when
dispatchable location is not technically
feasible, internet-based TRS providers
may fall back to Registered Location or
provide alternative location
information. As a last resort, internetbased providers may route calls to
Emergency Relay Calling Centers after
making a good faith effort to obtain
location data from all available
alternative location sources.
Dispatchable location means a location
delivered to the PSAP with a 911 call
that consists of the validated street
address of the calling party, plus
additional information such as suite,
apartment, or similar information
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necessary to adequately identify the
location of the calling party. Automated
dispatchable location means automatic
generation of dispatchable location.
Alternative location information is
location information (which may be
coordinate-based) sufficient to identify
the caller’s civic address and
approximate in-building location,
including floor level, in large buildings.
On January 31, 2020, the Commission
released Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Service Program;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, FCC 20–7, 85 FR 27309,
May 8, 2020 (VRS At-Home Call
Handling Order). The Commission
amended its rules to convert the VRS athome call handling pilot program into a
permanent one, thereby allowing CAs to
work from home. To ensure user privacy
and call confidentiality and to help
prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the
modified information collections
include requirements for VRS providers
to apply for certification to allow their
communications assistants to handle
calls while working at home; monitoring
and oversight requirements; and
reporting requirements.
On June 30, 2022, the Commission
released Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities; Structure and Practices of
the Video Relay Service Program;
Misuse of internet Protocol Captioned
Telephone Service, FCC 22–51,
published at 87 FR 57645, September
21, 2022 (Registration Grace Period
Order). To offer more efficient service to
VRS and IP CTS users without risk of
waste, fraud, and abuse to the TRS
Fund, the Commission amended its
rules to allow VRS and IP CTS providers
to provide compensable service to a new
user for up to two weeks after
submitting the user’s information to the
TRS URD if the user’s identity is
verified within that period.
On September 30, 2022, the
Commission released Rates for
Interstate Inmate Calling Services, FCC
22–76, published at 87 FR 75496,
December 9, 2022 (Accessible Carceral
Communications Order). To improve
access to communications services for
incarcerated people with
communications disabilities, the
Commission adopted modifications to
the user registration and verification
requirements applicable to the provision
of IP CTS and VRS for use of internetbased TRS in correctional facilities.
E:\FR\FM\21DER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
1. On page 84448, in the first column,
correct amendatory instruction 10
amending § 64.2010, redesignate
paragraph (h) as paragraph (i), and
revise newly redesignated paragraph (i)
to read as follows:
■ 10. Amend § 64.2010 by revising
paragraph (f) and adding paragraph (i) to
read as follows:
■
[FR Doc. 2023–28007 Filed 12–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
§ 64.2010
47 CFR Part 64
[WC Docket Nos. 22–238, 11–42, 21–450;
FCC 23–96, FR ID 190866]
Supporting Survivors of Domestic and
Sexual Violence; Lifeline and Link Up
Reform Modernization
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
AGENCY:
The Federal Communications
Commission (Commission) is correcting
a final rule that appeared in the Federal
Register on December 5, 2023. The
document issued final rules
implementing the Safe Connections Act
of 2022 (Safe Connections Act or SCA),
taking significant steps to improve
access to communications services for
survivors of domestic abuse and related
crimes.
DATES:
Effective date: This correction is
effective January 14, 2024.
Compliance date: Compliance with
the revisions to 47 CFR 64.2010 is
delayed indefinitely. The FCC will
publish a document in the Federal
Register announcing the compliance
date for that section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information, contact Melissa
Kirkel at melissa.kirkel@fcc.gov or 202–
418–7958.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Commission is correcting a final rule
that appeared in the Federal Register on
December 5, 2023, at 88 FR 84406,
which issued final rules implementing
the SCA, taking significant steps to
improve access to communications
services for survivors of domestic abuse
and related crimes. A subsequent rule
published on December 8, 2023, at 88
FR 85814, also added a paragraph (h) to
§ 64.2010. This document corrects the
December 5 rule’s addition of
§ 64.2010(h) by redesignating it as
paragraph (i) and revising it to account
for a reference within.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
Correction
Accordingly, in FR Rule Doc. No.
2023–26605 appearing on page 84406 in
the issue of Tuesday, December 5, 2023,
make the following correction:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:43 Dec 20, 2023
Jkt 262001
[Corrected]
*
*
*
*
*
(i) Compliance date. Compliance with
the provision in paragraph (f) of this
section applicable to line separation
requests under 47 U.S.C. 345 and
subpart II of this part will not be
required until this paragraph (i) is
removed or contains a compliance date,
which will not occur until the later of
July 15, 2024; or after OMB completes
review of any information collection
requirements in subpart II of this part
that the Wireline Competition Bureau
determines is required under the
Paperwork Reduction Act or the
Wireline Competition Bureau
determines that such review is not
required. The Commission directs the
Wireline Competition Bureau to
announce a compliance date for the
requirements of paragraph (f) by
subsequent Public Notice and
notification in the Federal Register and
to cause this section to be revised
accordingly.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–27840 Filed 12–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
48 CFR Part 1252
RIN 2105–AF22
Solicitation Provisions and Contract
Clauses
Department of Transportation.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This final rule amends the
Transportation Acquisition Regulation
(TAR) to provide needed editorial
changes. DOT is publishing a technical
amendment to make a minor
administrative correction to a TAR
clause citation.
DATES: This rule is effective on
December 21, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
LaWanda Morton-Chunn, Procurement
Analyst, Acquisition Policy, Oversight &
Business Strategies (M–61), Office of the
Senior Procurement Executive (OSPE),
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
88261
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590, (202) 366–2267. This is not a
toll-free telephone number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The purpose of this rule is to make a
minor administrative correction to the
clause at 1252.239–92, Information and
Communication Technology
Accessibility Notice, paragraph (b). This
revision corrects an erroneous reference
to a separate TAR clause.
Discussion and Analysis
TAR part 1252, 1252.239–92,
Information and Communication
Technology Accessibility Notice,
paragraph (b), is revised to correct a
typographical error to a reference to
another TAR clause. The reference in
paragraph (b) to the clause at 1252.239–
81, Information and Communication
Technology Accessibility, is revised to
reference the clause at 1252.239–93,
Information and Communication
Technology Accessibility. The clause at
1252.239–81 is titled Cloud
Identification and Authentication
(Organizational Users) Multi-Factor
Authentication, which is not the correct
reference. The clause at 1252.239–93 is
titled Information and Communication
Technology Accessibility. The clause at
1252.239–93 is the clause that
paragraph (b) of 1252.239–92 intended
to reference.
Notice and Comment
This rule makes administrative
changes that do not require prior notice
and an opportunity for comment or a
delayed effective date, consistent with
41 U.S.C. 1707, 48 CFR 1.301, and 48
CFR 1.501–3.
The statutes at 41 U.S.C. 1707(a)
specifies a required comment period for
procurement policies, regulations,
procedures and forms. Specifically, a
procurement policy, regulation,
procedure, or form may not take effect
until 60 days after it is published for
public comment if it relates to the
expenditure of funds and either (i) has
a significant effect beyond the internal
operating procedures of the agency
issuing the action; or (ii) has a
significant cost or administrative impact
on contractors or offerors. An exception
can be made if there are compelling
circumstances for an earlier effective
date. The statutes at 41 U.S.C. 1707(b)
also requires agencies to publish
proposed procurement regulations in
the Federal Register for a comment
period of at least 30 days unless the
agency waives those requirements
pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1707(d). This
E:\FR\FM\21DER1.SGM
21DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 88257-88261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28007]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 64
[CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, 13-24 and WC Docket No. 12-375; FCC 22-
51; FCC 22-76; FR ID 191657]
VRS and IP CTS--Commencement of Pending User Registration; Rates
for Interstate Inmate Calling Services
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective and compliance dates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC
or Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection
associated with certain rules adopted in the Commission's documents
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities et al., Report and
Order, FCC 22-51, and Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services,
Fourth Report and Order, FCC 22-76. This document is consistent with
the Report and Orders, which stated that the Commission would publish a
document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those
rules.
DATES:
Effective date: The amendments to Sec. Sec. 64.611(k)(1)(i)
through (iii) (amendatory instruction 6), 64.6040(c) (amendatory
instruction 11), and 64.6060(a)(5) through (7) (amendatory instruction
12), published at 87 FR 75496, December 9, 2022, are effective December
21, 2023.
Compliance dates: Compliance with Sec. 64.6040(b)(2), published at
87 FR 75496, December 9, 2022, is required by January 1, 2024.
Compliance with Sec. Sec. 64.611(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) and
64.615(a)(6)(v) and (vi), published at 87 FR 57645, September 21, 2022,
for providers of video relay service (VRS), is required on December 21,
2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Scott, Disability Rights
Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-1264, or
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document announces that, on December 5,
2023, and December 13, 2023, OMB approved, for a period of three years,
the information collection requirements contained in the Commission's
Report and Order, FCC 22-51, published at 87 FR 57645, September 21,
2022, and
[[Page 88258]]
Report and Order FCC 22-76, published at 87 FR 75496, December 9, 2022.
The OMB Control Numbers are 3060-1053 and 3060-1089. The Commission
publishes this document as an announcement of the effective and
compliance dates of the rules. On March 8, 2023, the Commission
published an effective date notification, at 88 FR 14251, for the
programmatic changes adopted in FCC 22-51 that apply to the provision
of Internet Protocol captioned telephone relay service (IP CTS),
specifically 47 CFR 64.611 (amendatory instruction 3) and 64.615
(amendatory instruction 4). If you have any comments on the burden
estimates listed below, or how the Commission can improve the
collections and reduce any burdens caused thereby, please contact Cathy
Williams, Federal Communications Commission, via email:
[email protected]. Please include the OMB Control Numbers, 3060-
1053 or 3060-1089, in your correspondence. The Commission will also
accept your comments via the internet if you send them to [email protected].
To request materials in accessible formats for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format),
send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice).
Synopsis
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507), the FCC is notifying the public that it received OMB approval on
December 5, 2023, and December 13, 2023, for the information collection
requirements contained in the Commission's documents FCC 22-51 and FCC
22-76.
Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB
Control Number.
No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply
with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Numbers are 3060-1053 and 3060-1089.
The foregoing notification is required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents
are as follows:
OMB Control Number: 3060-1053.
OMB Approval Date: December 13, 2023.
OMB Expiration Date: December 31, 2026.
Title: Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP
CTS); Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services
for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos.
13-24 and 03-123.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 187,173 respondents; 673,980
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.1 hours (6 minutes) to 40 hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual, every five years, monthly, and
ongoing reporting requirements; Recordkeeping requirements; Third party
disclosure requirements.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for the information collection requirements is
found at sec. 225 [47 U.S.C. 225] Telecommunications Services for
Hearing-Impaired Individuals; The Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, (ADA), Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, 366-69, enacted on July
26, 1990.
Total Annual Burden: 342,103 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $72,000.
Needs and Uses:
On August 1, 2003, the Commission released Telecommunication Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67, Declaratory Ruling, 68 FR
55898, September 28, 2003, clarifying that one-line captioned telephone
voice carry over (VCO) service is a type of telecommunications relay
service (TRS) and that eligible providers of such services are eligible
to recover their costs from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) in
accordance with section 225 of the Communications Act.
On July 19, 2005, the Commission released Telecommunication Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67 and CG Docket No. 03-123,
Order, 70 FR 54294, September 14, 2005, clarifying that two-line
captioned telephone VCO service, like one-line captioned telephone VCO
service, is a type of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund.
On January 11, 2007, the Commission released Telecommunications
Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with
Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, Declaratory
Ruling, 72 FR 6960, February 14, 2007, granting a request for
clarification that Internet Protocol captioned telephone relay service
is a type of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund.
On August 26, 2013, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet
Protocol Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services
and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order, 78 FR
53684, August 30, 2013, to regulate practices relating to the marketing
of IP CTS, impose certain requirements for the provision of this
service, and mandate registration and certification of IP CTS users.
On June 8, 2018, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet Protocol
Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order and
Declaratory Ruling, 83 FR 30082, June 27, 2018 (2018 IP CTS
Modernization Order), to facilitate the Commission's efforts to reduce
waste, fraud, and abuse and improve its ability to efficiently manage
the IP CTS program through regulating practices related to the
marketing of IP CTS, generally prohibiting the provision of IP CTS to
consumers who do not genuinely need the service, permitting the
provision of IP CTS in emergency shelters, and approving the use of
automatic speech recognition to generate captions without the
assistance of a communications assistant.
On February 15, 2019, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet
Protocol Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services
and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order and
Order, 84 FR 8457, March 8, 2019 (2019 IP CTS Program Management
Order), requiring the submission of IP CTS user registration
information to the telecommunications relay service (TRS) User
Registration Database (Database) so that the Database administrator can
verify IP CTS users to reduce the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse in
the IP CTS program.
On June 30, 2022, the Commission issued Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service
Program; Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, CG
Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, Report and
[[Page 88259]]
Order, published at 87 FR 57645, September 21, 2022 (Registration Grace
Period Order), allowing IP CTS and Video Relay Service (VRS) providers
to provide compensable service to a new user for up to two weeks after
submitting the user's information to the Database if the user's
identity is verified within that period, in order to offer more
efficient service to IP CTS and VRS users without risk of waste, fraud,
and abuse to the Fund.
On September 30, 2022, the Commission released Rates for Interstate
Inmate Calling Services, FCC 22-76, published at 87 FR 75496, December
9, 2022 (Accessible Carceral Communications Order). To improve access
to communications services for incarcerated people with communications
disabilities, the Commission adopted modifications to the user
registration and verification requirements applicable to the provision
of IP CTS and VRS for use of internet-based TRS in correctional
facilities.
OMB Control No.: 3060-1089.
OMB Approval Date: December 5, 2023.
OMB Expiration Date: December 31, 2026.
Title: Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program;
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 10-51
& 03-123.
Form No.: N/A.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Individuals or
households;
Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 187,019 respondents; 1,836,456
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.05 hours (3 minutes) to 300 hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual, monthly, on occasion, on-going, one-
time, and quarterly reporting requirements; recordkeeping requirement;
and third-party disclosure requirements.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for the collection is contained in section 225 of
the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 225. The law was enacted on July 26,
1990, as title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA),
Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, 366-69, and amended by the Twenty-
First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010,
Public Law 111-260, 103(a), 124 Stat. 2751, 2755 (2010) (CVAA); Public
Law 111-265 (technical amendments to CVAA).
Total Annual Burden: 320,484 hours.
Annual Cost Burden: $280,200.
Needs and Uses:
The telecommunications relay service (TRS) program enables access
to the nation's telephone network by persons with hearing and speech
disabilities. In 1991, as required by the Americans with Disabilities
Act and codified at 47 U.S.C. 225, the Commission adopted rules
governing the telecommunications relay services (TRS) program and
procedures for each state TRS program to apply for initial Commission
certification and renewal of Commission certification of each state
program. Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
Report and Order and Request for Comments, document FCC 91-213,
published at 56 FR 36729, August 1, 1991 (1991 TRS Implementation
Order).
Between 2008 and 2011, to integrate internet-based TRS into the
North American Numbering plan and facilitate interoperability,
universal calling, and 911 emergency services, the Commission adopted
rules in three separate orders related to the telephone numbering
system and enhanced 911 (E911) services for users of two forms of
internet-based TRS: Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol
Relay service (IP Relay). See document FCC 08-151, Report and Order,
published at 73 FR 41286, July 18, 2008 (First Numbering Order);
document FCC 08-275, Second Report and Order and Order on
Reconsideration, published at 73 FR 79683, December 30, 2008 (Second
Numbering Order); and document FCC 11-123, Report and Order, published
at 76 FR 59551, September 27, 2011 (internet-based TRS Toll Free
Order).
The rules adopted in these three orders have information collection
requirements that include requiring VRS and IP Relay providers to:
register each user who selects the provider as his or her default
provider, including obtaining a self-certification from each user;
verify the accuracy of each user's registration information; provision
and maintain their registered users' routing information to the TRS
Numbering Directory; place their users' Registered Location and certain
callback information in Automatic Location Information (ALI) databases
across the country and provide a means for their users to update their
Registered Locations; include advisories on their websites and in any
promotional materials addressing numbering and E911 services for VRS or
IP Relay; verify in the TRS Numbering Directory whether each dial-
around user is registered with another provider; and if they provide
equipment to a consumer, make available to other VRS providers enough
information about that equipment to enable another VRS provider
selected as the consumer's default provider to perform all of the
functions of a default provider.
On July 28, 2011, the Commission released Structure and Practices
of the Video Relay Service Program, document FCC 11-118, published at
76 FR 47469, August 5, 2011, and at 76 FR 47476, August 5, 2011 (VRS
Certification Order), adopting final and interim rules--designed to
help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensure quality service, in
the provision of internet-based forms of TRS. On October 17, 2011, the
Commission released Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service
Program, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order, document FCC 11-155,
published at 76 FR 67070, October 31, 2011 (VRS Certification
Reconsideration Order), modifying two aspects of information collection
requirements contained in the VRS Certification Order.
On June 10, 2013, the Commission made permanent the interim rules
adopted in the VRS Certification Order. Structure and Practices of the
Video Relay Service Program; Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, Report and Order, document FCC 13-82, published at 78 FR
40582, July 5, 2013 (2013 VRS Reform Order).
The VRS Certification Order as modified by the VRS Certification
Reconsideration Order and, as applicable, made permanent by the 2013
VRS Reform Order, amended the Commission's process for certifying
internet-based TRS providers as eligible for payment from the
Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) for their provision of internet-based TRS to
ensure that internet-based TRS providers receiving certification are
qualified to provide internet-based TRS in compliance with the
Commission's rules and to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse through
improved oversight of such providers. They contain information
collection requirements including: submission of detailed information
in an application for certification that shows the applicant's ability
to comply with the Commission's rules; submission of annual reports
that include updates to
[[Page 88260]]
the provider's information on file with the Commission or a
certification that there are no changes to the information;
requirements for a senior executive of an applicant for internet-based
TRS certification or an internet-based TRS provider, when submitting an
annual compliance report, to certify under penalty of perjury to its
accuracy and completeness; requirements for VRS providers to obtain
prior authorization from the Commission for planned interruptions of
service, to report to the Commission unforeseen interruptions of
service, and to provide notification of temporary service outages,
including updates, to consumers on their websites; and requirements for
internet-based TRS providers that will no longer be providing service
to give their customers notice at least 30-days in advance.
In the 2013 VRS Reform Order, the Commission adopted further
measures to improve the structure, efficiency, and quality of the VRS
program, reducing the noted inefficiencies in the program, as well as
reducing the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensuring that the
program makes full use of advances in commercially-available
technology. The Commission required reporting of unauthorized and
unnecessary use of VRS; established a central TRS user registration
database (TRS-URD) for VRS, which incorporates a centralized
eligibility verification requirement to ensure accurate registration
and verification of users, as well as per-call validation, to achieve
more effective prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse; established
procedures to prevent unauthorized changes of a user's default TRS
provider; and established procedures to protect TRS users' customer
proprietary network information (CPNI) from disclosure.
On March 23, 2017, the Commission released Structure and Practices
of the Video Relay Services Program et al., FCC 17-26, published at 82
FR 17754, April 13, 2017 (2017 VRS Improvements Order), which among
other things, allows VRS providers to assign TRS Numbering Directory
10-digit telephone numbers to hearing individuals for the limited
purpose of making point-to-point video calls, and gives VRS providers
the option to participate in an at-home call handling pilot program,
subject to certain limitations, as well as recordkeeping and reporting
requirements.
On May 15, 2019, the Commission released Structure and Practices of
the Video Relay Service Program; Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, FCC 19-39, published at 84 FR 26364, June 6, 2019 (2019
VRS Program Management Order). The Commission further improved the
structure, efficiency, and quality of the VRS program, reduced the risk
of waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensured that the program makes full use
of advances in commercially-available technology. These improvements
include information collection requirements, including: the
establishment of procedures to register enterprise and public
videophones to the TRS-URD; and permitting Qualified Direct Video
Calling (DVC) Entities to access the TRS Numbering Directory and
establishing an application procedure to authorize such access,
including rules governing DVC entities and entry of information in the
TRS Numbering Directory and the TRS-URD.
On August 2, 2019, the Commission released Implementing Kari's Law
and Section 506 of RAY BAUM's Act; Inquiry Concerning 911 Access,
Routing, and Location in Enterprise Communications Systems; Amending
the Definition of Interconnected VoIP Service in Section 9.3 of the
Commission's Rules, FCC 19-76, published at 84 FR 66716, December 5,
2019 (MLTS 911 and Dispatchable Location Order). The Commission amended
its rules to ensure that the dispatchable location is conveyed to a
Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with a 911 call, regardless of the
technological platform used. Based on the directive in section 506 of
RAY BAUM'S Act, the Commission adopted dispatchable location
requirements that in effect modified the existing information
collection requirements applicable to VRS, IP Relay, and covered
internet Protocol captioned telephone service by improving the options
for providing accurate location information to PSAPs as part of 911
calls.
Fixed internet-based TRS devices must provide automated
dispatchable location. For non-fixed devices, when dispatchable
location is not technically feasible, internet-based TRS providers may
fall back to Registered Location or provide alternative location
information. As a last resort, internet-based providers may route calls
to Emergency Relay Calling Centers after making a good faith effort to
obtain location data from all available alternative location sources.
Dispatchable location means a location delivered to the PSAP with a 911
call that consists of the validated street address of the calling
party, plus additional information such as suite, apartment, or similar
information necessary to adequately identify the location of the
calling party. Automated dispatchable location means automatic
generation of dispatchable location. Alternative location information
is location information (which may be coordinate-based) sufficient to
identify the caller's civic address and approximate in-building
location, including floor level, in large buildings.
On January 31, 2020, the Commission released Structure and
Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities, FCC 20-7, 85 FR 27309, May 8, 2020 (VRS At-Home
Call Handling Order). The Commission amended its rules to convert the
VRS at-home call handling pilot program into a permanent one, thereby
allowing CAs to work from home. To ensure user privacy and call
confidentiality and to help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the
modified information collections include requirements for VRS providers
to apply for certification to allow their communications assistants to
handle calls while working at home; monitoring and oversight
requirements; and reporting requirements.
On June 30, 2022, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service
Program; Misuse of internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, FCC
22-51, published at 87 FR 57645, September 21, 2022 (Registration Grace
Period Order). To offer more efficient service to VRS and IP CTS users
without risk of waste, fraud, and abuse to the TRS Fund, the Commission
amended its rules to allow VRS and IP CTS providers to provide
compensable service to a new user for up to two weeks after submitting
the user's information to the TRS URD if the user's identity is
verified within that period.
On September 30, 2022, the Commission released Rates for Interstate
Inmate Calling Services, FCC 22-76, published at 87 FR 75496, December
9, 2022 (Accessible Carceral Communications Order). To improve access
to communications services for incarcerated people with communications
disabilities, the Commission adopted modifications to the user
registration and verification requirements applicable to the provision
of IP CTS and VRS for use of internet-based TRS in correctional
facilities.
[[Page 88261]]
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-28007 Filed 12-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
