03-31767. Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals With Hearing and Speech Disabilities

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Final rule; announcement of effective date.

SUMMARY:

In this document, the Commission announces the effective date of the amendments to the Commission's rules for governing telecommunications relay services (TRS) and related customer premises equipment for persons with disabilities that contained information collection requirements.

DATES:

47 CFR 64.604(b)(2), (c)(1), (c)(5)(i) and 64.605(f) published at 65 FR 38432, June 21, 2000, are effective June 29, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cheryl King, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, [phone] (voice), [phone] (TTY).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 6, 2000, the Commission released a Report and Order, published at 65 FR 38432, June 21, 2002, in CC Docket No. 98-67; FCC 00-56. The information collections contained in the Report and Order were approved by OMB on June 20, 2000. The OMB approval of the information collections contained in the Report and Order was announced in the Federal Register on June 29, 2000. See 65 FR 40093, June 29, 2000.

Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no persons shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Questions concerning the OMB control numbers and expiration dates should be directed to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, [phone]. The OMB Control Number is 3060-0463.

Synopsis

In the Report and Order, the Commission amended its rules governing the delivery of TRS to expand the kinds of relay services available to consumers and to improve the quality of relay service. The Commission also amended its rules to better conform to the statutory mandate that TRS must be “functionally equivalent” to voice telecommunications service to the extent possible. Among other things, these rules are intended to improve the speed at which calls are answered and conversations relayed.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64

• Individuals with disabilities
• Telecommunications relay service

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.