September 11, 2025
Source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
On September 30, 2025, the FCC at its Open Meeting will consider, among other items, a Direct Final Rule that would remove outdated or unnecessary FCC rules and a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Third FNPRM) proposing to authorize non-federal operation of radio frequency jamming solutions in correctional facilities.
1. The Draft Direct Final Rule would continue the FCC’s efforts to modernize its rules in the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding. With respect to accessibility, the item would remove:
- outdated rules regarding the hearing aid compatibility of telephones manufactured or imported in the United States prior to August 16, 1991;
- redundant rules cross-referencing other FCC enforcement and informal complaint rules;
- an expired exemption for small entities;
- outdated rules regarding accessible customer premises equipment and enforcement of those rules; and
- outdated rules establishing the initial pilot program for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program.
2. The Draft Contraband Wireless Devices Third FNPRM would build a record on a proposed regulatory framework to authorize, for the first time, non-federal operation of radio frequency jamming solutions in the limited context of correctional facilities. Most relevant to accessibility, the FCC seeks comment on how its proposal may impact non-contraband devices, which could potentially include devices or equipment used by people with disabilities, located within a correctional facility, and asks how correctional facilities and solutions providers may limit the impact only to contraband devices within a correctional facility.
The September 2025 Open Meeting is scheduled for 10:30am [Eastern Time] on September 30, 2025, and will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20554. The FCC meeting is also streamed at www.fcc.gov/live. Open captioning and sign language interpreting will be provided for this meeting. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. E-mail your request to fcc504@fcc.gov or call 202-418-0530.
News Release with Agenda for September 30, 2025 Open Meeting:
[Web:] https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-tentative-agenda-september-open-meeting-10
DRAFT Delete, Delete, Delete Direct Final Rule:
[Web:] https://www.fcc.gov/document/deleting-obsolete-and-duplicative-wireline-rules
DRAFT Contraband Wireless Devices Third FNPRM:
[Web:] https://www.fcc.gov/document/phone-jamming-solutions-non-federal-correctional-facilities
For specific accessibility questions about these draft items, please contact Stephen Wang, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-1634 or Stephen.Wang@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).
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