The END CELLS Act would amend federal communications law to address wireless devices in detention facilities. It would prohibit providing or trying to provide a device to someone held in a facility, knowingly helping bring a device into a facility, or a detained person possessing or trying to obtain one, when that conduct violates an applicable federal or state law, rule, or order. The bill sets civil forfeitures of up to $50,000 per violation or day of a continuing violation, capped at $1 million for a single continuing act. A person who knowingly and willfully violates the rules could face a criminal fine of up to $50,000; existing imprisonment penalties would remain. The provisions would apply to conduct after enactment.
The bill concerns people held in correctional, detention, or penal facilities, as well as people who provide or help bring wireless devices into those facilities. It preserves lawfully authorized investigative, protective, and intelligence activities. No publicly available information on other effects for the public.
The bill specifies possible civil forfeitures and criminal fines, but does not specify government spending or program costs. No publicly available information on other expenses.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.