(a) In general(1) Examination of FCC policiesNot later than 180 days after December 30, 2019, the Commission shall commence a proceeding to determine how Commission policies regarding access to number resources, including number resources for toll-free and non-toll-free telephone numbers, could be modified, including by establishing registration and compliance obligations, and requirements that providers of voice service given access to number resources take sufficient steps to know the identity of the customers of such providers, to help reduce access to numbers by potential perpetrators of violations of section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(b)).
(2) RegulationsIf the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that modifying the policies described in that paragraph could help achieve the goal described in that paragraph, the Commission shall prescribe regulations to implement those policy modifications.
(b) AuthorityAny person who knowingly, through an employee, agent, officer, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, by or through any means or device whatsoever, is a party to obtaining number resources, including number resources for toll-free and non-toll-free telephone numbers, from a common carrier regulated under title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), in violation of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a), shall, notwithstanding section 503(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)(5)), be subject to a forfeiture penalty under section 503(b) of that Act (47 U.S.C. 503(b)). A forfeiture penalty under this subsection shall be in addition to any other penalty provided for by law.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 5— WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION
SUBCHAPTER II— COMMON CARRIERS
Part I— Common Carrier Regulation
§ 202. Discriminations and preferences
§ 205. Commission authorized to prescribe just and reasonable charges; penalties for violations
§ 206. Carriers’ liability for damages
§ 209. Orders for payment of money
§ 210. Franks and passes; free service to governmental agencies in connection with national defense
§ 211. Contracts of carriers; filing with Commission
§ 212. Interlocking directorates; officials dealing in securities
§ 213. Valuation of property of carrier
§ 216. Receivers and trustees; application of chapter
§ 217. Agents’ acts and omissions; liability of carrier
§ 218. Management of business; inquiries by Commission
§ 219. Reports by carriers; contents and requirements generally
§ 220. Accounts, records, and memoranda
§ 221. Consolidations and mergers of telephone companies
§ 222. Privacy of customer information
§ 225. Telecommunications services for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals
§ 226. Telephone operator services
§ 227. Restrictions on use of telephone equipment
§ 227b–1. Access to number resources
§ 227b–2. Provision of evidence of certain robocall violations to Attorney General
§ 228. Regulation of carrier offering of pay-per-call services
§ 229. Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act compliance
§ 230. Protection for private blocking and screening of offensive material