Communications: lifeline telephone service program.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill protects the privacy of individuals applying for or receiving California’s Lifeline Telephone Service. It prohibits the California Public Utilities Commission and related entities from sharing applicant or subscriber information with local, state, federal, or immigration agencies without a court order or warrant. The bill also requires applicants and subscribers to provide social security numbers only upon request, not as a requirement, and clarifies the definition of ‘lawful process’ in relation to subpoenas and warrants. It amends existing law to further restrict the disclosure of personal information by telephone corporations.
Key provisions
- Prohibits sharing of Lifeline program applicant/subscriber information with local, state, federal, and immigration agencies without a court order or warrant.
- Requires applicants and subscribers to provide social security numbers only upon request, not as a requirement.
- Defines ‘lawful process’ as a court-ordered subpoena or judicial warrant.
- Amends existing law to further restrict the disclosure of personal information by telephone corporations.
- Clarifies that aggregated subscriber data can be used for program management without revealing individual identities.
- Defines ‘immigration authority’ and ‘immigration enforcement’ for the purpose of the bill.
- Reinforces the prohibition against sharing demographic information that could identify individuals.
- Specifies that information shared for low-income ratepayer assistance outreach is exempt from disclosure restrictions.
Bill text
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