Compassionate Calling and Immigrant Family Reunification Act of 2018

To direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations to ensure access to voice service in order to facilitate communications between, and reunification of, alien guardians and alien children, to provide for certain requirements relating to inmate calling services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Compassionate Calling and Immigrant Family Reunification Act of 2018 2. Availability of voice service to alien guardians and alien children (a) FCC regulations Not later than 10 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate regulations under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17) (b) Requirements In promulgating the regulations required by subsection (a), the Commission shall ensure access to voice service— (1) at the facility at which the alien guardian is detained or incarcerated and at the facility at which the alien child is detained; (2) at no charge to the alien guardian or the alien child; and (3) until the alien guardian is reunited with the alien child. (c) Certain administrative procedure requirements inapplicable Subsections (b) and (d) of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to the regulations promulgated under subsection (a) or the promulgation of such regulations. (d) No effect on existing universal service support Nothing in this Act or the regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall reduce the amount of, or otherwise affect, any universal service support being provided under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254 (e) Effective date Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall take effect on the date on which such regulations are promulgated. 3. Inmate calling services Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Second Report and Order of the Commission in the matter of Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services (WC Docket No. 12–375; FCC 15–136; adopted October 22, 2015) shall apply, in its entirety, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Alien child The term alien child (A) has not been admitted into, or is not authorized to enter or remain in, the United States; (B) is under the age of 18; (C) is the child, sibling, other relative, or ward of an alien guardian who was detained or incarcerated; and (D) entered the United States with the alien guardian referred to in subparagraph (C). (2) Alien guardian The term alien guardian (A) has not been admitted into, or is not authorized to enter or remain in, the United States; (B) was detained or incarcerated; and (C) entered the United States with an alien child. (3) Commission The term Commission (4) Voice service The term voice service 47 U.S.C. 227 Public Law 115–141

Summary: Compassionate Calling and Immigrant Family Reunification Act of 2018 This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations to ensure access to voice service by any alien guardian who is detained or incarcerated under the immigration laws separately from the alien child of such guardian, and by the alien child, to facilitate communications between, and reunification of, such guardian and child. The FCC shall ensure access to voice service: (1) at the facility at which the alien guardian is detained or incarcerated and at the facility at which the alien child is detained, (2) at no charge to the guardian or child, and (3) until the guardian is reunited with the child. The Second Report and Order of the Commission in the matter of Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services (adopted October 22, 2015) shall apply, beginning on the date of this bill's enactment. The report adopts comprehensive reform of all aspects of inmate calling services.