On January 18, 2024 and March 19, 2024, The FCC released public notices announcing the effective dates for information collection requirements regarding the following rules:
Grace Period for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) User Registration
- FCC rules allowing video relay service (VRS) providers to provide service to a user for up to two weeks after a user’s registration information has been submitted to the TRS User Registration Database, while the user’s identity is verified.
TRS Access in Carceral Facilities
- FCC rules allowing VRS and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) providers to register incarcerated people for VRS and IP CTS in the TRS User Registration Database.
- FCC rules requiring providers of incarcerated people’s communications services (IPCS) to provide access to telecommunications relay services (TRS) and point-to-point video service for incarcerated people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind or who have a speech disability.
The FCC has posted a consumer guide to answer frequently asked questions about TRS access in carceral facilities at: https://www.fcc.gov/research-reports/guides/frequently-asked-questions-faq-communications-services-incarcerated-people.
Links to the Public Notices:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-dates-trs-urd-grace-period-and-carceral-trs-access
https://www.fcc.gov/document/wcb-announces-trs-rule-adopted-2022-ics-order-now-effective
For general information about TRS, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information about these items, please contact Michael Scott at (202) 418-1264 or Michael.Scott@fcc.gov, or the Commission’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).