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United States · Law · S

S. 3304 (111th)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 May 2010

Last action

22 December 2010 · Committee

Status

By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 111-386.

Sponsors

Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND], Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that all customer premises equipment used with advanced communications services designed to provide two-way voice communication via a built-in speaker intended to be held to the ear in a manner functionally equivalent to a telephone must provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids that are designed to be compatible with telephones which meet established technical standards for hearing aid compatibility. Defines "advanced communications" as Internet-based protocol, or any successor protocol, based devices and services that transmit voice, video conferencing, and text communications, and any application or service accessed over the Internet that provides for voice, video conferencing, or text communications. Requires each interconnected VoIP service provider to participate in, and contribute to, the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Requires a manufacturer of equipment used for advanced communications to ensure that the equipment and software it designs, develops, and fabricates is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities, where such requirement is achievable. Requires the FCC to authorize Lifeline and Linkup assistance programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications needed by qualified individuals with disabilities to engage in communication with other individuals in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of individuals without disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) enforcement and reporting; (2) deaf-blind individuals; and (3) emergency access. Establishes the Emergency Access and Real-time Text Advisory Committee. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment to, where achievable, make user interfaces for such service and equipment accessible to individuals with disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning closed captioning decoder and video description capability, user interfaces, and video programming guides and menus.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 4 May 2010

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 4 May 2010

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 26 May 2010

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  4. 15 July 2010

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  5. 3 August 2010

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 509.

    Source: Calendars

  6. 3 August 2010

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  7. 3 August 2010

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  8. 5 August 2010

    Reported

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6983-6989; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S6983-6989)

    Source: Floor

  9. 5 August 2010

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  10. 6 August 2010

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  11. 9 August 2010

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  12. 9 August 2010

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 28 September 2010

    Action

    Cleared for White House.

  14. 28 September 2010

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 28 September 2010

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7168-7175)

    Source: Floor

  16. 28 September 2010

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7168-7175)

    Source: Floor

  17. 28 September 2010

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3304.

    Source: Floor

  18. 28 September 2010

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7168-7176)

    Source: Floor

  19. 28 September 2010

    Floor

    Mr. Markey (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  20. 30 September 2010

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  21. 30 September 2010

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  22. 8 October 2010

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 111-260.

    Source: President

  23. 8 October 2010

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  24. 8 October 2010

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  25. 22 December 2010

    Floor

    By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 111-386.

    Source: Floor

  26. 22 December 2010

    Committee

    By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 111-386.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

12 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 8 October 2010

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 8 October 2010

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 8 October 2010

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 6 August 2010

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 6 August 2010

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 3 August 2010

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 3 August 2010

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 4 May 2010

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 4 May 2010

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 4 May 2010

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