Concord Ledger

Washington, D.C. — On June 21, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, spoke with  Federal Communications Commission officials about implementing her legislation, the Safe Connections Act. Signed into law last year, the Safe Connections Act helps survivors of domestic violence cut ties with their abusers by separating from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims.

“Survivors of domestic abuse face enough challenges. The last thing they need is to be forced to stay on a phone plan with their abuser. That’s why the Safe Connections Act is so important,” said Kuster. “This legislation only works if we put it into practice. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Safe Connections Act with FCC officials and how it is helping survivors across the country. I will continue working to ensure victims of abuse have the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives and recover.”

The Safe Connections Act helps survivors protect themselves by:

• Allowing survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties or other requirements. This includes lines of any dependents in their care; 
• Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to seek comment on how to help survivors who separate from a shared plan enroll in an emergency communications support program for up to six months as they become financially stable; and
• Requiring the FCC to establish rules that would ensure any calls or texts to hotlines do not appear on call logs.

Original source can be found here.