The Mystic Alerts Act lets certain mobile service providers choose to send emergency alerts to subscribers using satellites. Providers must tell the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) within 60 days after a required FCC rule takes effect whether they will send alerts by satellite. If they choose to send alerts, they must follow FCC technical rules. If they choose not to, they must notify new and existing subscribers in the same way required now for wireless alerts. Subscribers who already can opt out under current law can also opt out of satellite alerts. Providers may not charge subscribers extra for satellite alert capability.
The FCC must start a rulemaking within 6 months and issue a final rule within 18 months after the bill is enacted. The final rule’s effective date will be either 36 months after it is published or 12 months after the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA put in place any needed standards or procedures, whichever is later. The bill also limits liability for providers that transmit alerts by satellite and meet the bill’s requirements. It defines covered providers as those that voluntarily elect to transmit alerts and that offer satellite voice and data service to their subscribers.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s text shows its goal: to create a legal framework for transmitting emergency alerts by satellite, set technical and timing rules through the FCC, preserve subscriber choice to opt out, and limit provider liability when they follow the law.
No publicly available information.