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117-s-1541117th CongressWALLET

Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022

Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

Became Law

Summary

This law requires just and reasonable rates for inmate communications and expands federal oversight to cover audio, video, and other technologies inmates use to contact people outside a facility.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Fairer prices for prison calls and video

The law requires prices for inmate communications to be just and reasonable. It covers all ways people in prison connect, including phone calls and video chats. It is not limited to per-call charges. This applies now and protects people who pay to talk with someone in prison.

FCC timeline and rules for prison call rates

The FCC must issue rules 18 to 24 months after the law’s enactment. When setting rates, it can use industry or provider average costs. It must consider safety and security costs and differences by facility size. These choices can raise or lower prices. The rules cover phone and video services used by people in prison.

No mandate for prison phone or video

The law does not require prisons or jails to offer phone or video service. It also does not block safety and security measures for those services. State and local rules stay in place. This applies now.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2021

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/26/2021

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 9/27/2022

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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