HR 3958
To require the United States Postal Service to notify postal customers and relevant officials when operations are temporarily suspended at a post office, and for other purposes.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to notify customers and local officials when a post office temporarily suspends operations. The USPS must provide details about the suspension, including the reason, expected resumption date, and plans for providing alternative services. It also mandates regular updates on the status of the suspension and notifies customers and officials when operations resume or if the post office is relocated. Finally, it requires the USPS to offer replacement retail postal services during the suspension.
Key provisions
- USPS must notify customers and relevant officials of temporary post office closures.
- Notices must include reasons for suspension, expected resumption date, and plans for alternative services.
- USPS must provide a 60-day notice before a suspension (or the earliest possible date) and a 14-day notice upon suspension.
- USPS must offer replacement retail postal services within 10 days of suspension.
- USPS must provide regular status updates during extended suspensions (over six months).
- USPS must notify customers and officials when operations resume or if the post office is relocated.
- Relevant officials include Members of Congress, Senators, and local government heads.
- Customers have an opportunity to comment on the suspension.
Who is affected
- Postal customers
- Local government officials
- Members of Congress
- Senators
- United States Postal Service
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 3958
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the United States Postal Service to notify postal customers and relevant officials when operations are temporarily suspended at a post office, and for other purposes.
submit the notices required by subsection (b);
provide persons served by such post office an opportunity for comment in accordance with subsection (c); and
provide services to persons served by such post office in accordance with subsection (d).
Except as provided by clause (ii), the notice required under subparagraph (A) with respect to the temporary suspension of operations at a post office shall include—
in the case of a temporary suspension of operations that the United States Postal Service plans or expects, the expected date on which such temporary suspension of operations will begin;
the reasons for such temporary suspension of operations;
providing retail postal services to persons served by such post office during such temporary suspension of operations;
providing persons served by such post office the opportunity required by subsection (c); and
resuming the operations of such post office; and
an estimate of when the operations of such post office will resume.
Notwithstanding clause (i), a notice required under subparagraph (A) placed at the physical location of a post office shall include instructions for accessing a website of the United States Postal Service containing the information described in clause (i) and may contain such information.
the earliest date on which the United States Postal Service plans or expects such temporary suspension of operations; and
in all other cases, not later than 14 days after the date on which operations are temporarily suspended.
mail such notice to persons served by such post office;
place such notice at the physical location of such post office;
make such notice publicly available on a website of the United States Postal Service;
send such notice to a valid email of each relevant official.
In this subsection, the term relevant officials, with respect to a post office, means—
each Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress) representing a congressional district which includes all or part of the geographic area served by such post office;
The United States Postal Service shall provide persons served by a post office at which operations are temporarily suspended an opportunity to present their views on such temporary suspension of operations, including the relocation of such post office.
in the same geographic area as such post office, to the extent practicable; and
to the extent that such post office provided such services immediately before such temporary suspension of operations.
The services described in this paragraph are the following services not available from the post office at which operations are temporarily suspended:
Retail postal services, including the sale of boxes and other packaging material sold by the United States Postal Service.
A means for holders of post office boxes at such post office to receive mail sent to the post office box of such holder.
Providing, accepting, and processing forms necessary for persons to request a change of mailing address or a temporary halt to the delivery of mail to such person.
This section shall apply only with respect to temporary suspensions of operations at post offices that begin after the date of the enactment of this Act.