Stopping Bad Robocalls Act

Bill: 116-hr-3375
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
Introduced: 2019-06-20 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Intergovernmental relations
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: 

Stopping Bad Robocalls Act

 
This bill updates various policies and regulations relating to robocalls. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect consumer privacy as it relates to robocalls.
 
The FCC must update regulations involving certain robocalls that are exempt from criminal liability to include specific requirements identifying classes of parties who may make such calls, parties who may be called, and how many times they may be called.
 
Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that a citation be issued prior to a forfeiture penalty being imposed in cases where violations involving illegal robocalls have been intentional and where inaccurate caller identification information has been provided. The bill also implements a three-year statute of limitation for such violations requiring notice, and a four-year statute of limitation where an intentional violation has occurred.
 
The FCC must promulgate regulations to address requirements for effective call authentication technology as well as to establish a process to streamline the ways in which a private entity may voluntarily share with FCC information relating to an illegal call or text or for calls with misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.
 
Finally, the bill requires the FCC to ensure robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out basis are provided free of cost with transparency and redress options for consumers and callers.

action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Stopping Bad Robocalls Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take certain actions to protect consumers from robocalls.
 
Specifically, the FCC must
 
 
update regulations exempting certain robocalls from criminal liability to include identified parties who may make such calls, parties who may be called, and how many times they may be called;
 
require implementation of call authentication technology;
 
initiate a proceeding to protect called parties from one-ring scams;
 
establish the Hospital Robocall Protection Group to develop best practices for combating robocalls made to hospitals and to devise strategies for hospitals to protect against such calls;
 
establish a single consortium to conduct private-led robocall tracing efforts and implement a streamlined process for private entities to voluntarily share information with the FCC;
 
ensure robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out basis are free of cost and include transparency and redress options; and
 
provide the Department of Justice (DOJ) with evidence of any willful, knowing, and repeated robocall violation made with an intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
 
 
Additionally, the bill allows a forfeiture penalty to be imposed without a prior citation where illegal robocalls were made intentionally and where inaccurate caller identification information has been provided.
 
Further, the DOJ must assemble an interagency working group to study and report on the prohibition of robocalls with a focus on bettering enforcement against robocalls.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 429 - 3 (Roll no. 502). (text: CR H7293-7296)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 429 - 3 (Roll no. 502).(text: CR H7293-7296)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7312)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 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.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3375.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7292-7303)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 133.
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-173.
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-173.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-06-25
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2019-06-25
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-06-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Introduced in House