Effective: January 23, 2006

Code of Federal Regulations Currentness
Title 47. Telecommunication
 Chapter I. Federal Communications Commission (Refs & Annos)
 Subchapter B. Common Carrier Services
 Part 64. Miscellaneous Rules Relating to Common Carriers (Refs & Annos)
 Subpart F. Telecommunications Relay Services and Related Customer Premises Equipment for Persons with Disabilities (Refs & Annos)

§  64.605 VRS and IP Relay Provider and TRS program certification.

 (a) Documentation.

(1) Certified state program.  Any state, through its office of the governor or other delegated executive office empowered to provide TRS, desiring to establish a state program under this section shall submit, not later than October 1, 1992, documentation to the Commission addressed to the Federal Communications Commission, Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, TRS Certification Program, Washington, DC 20554, and captioned "TRS State Certification Application."  All documentation shall be submitted in narrative form, shall clearly describe the state program for implementing intrastate TRS, and the procedures and remedies for enforcing any requirements imposed by the state program.  The Commission shall give public notice of states filing for certification including notification in the Federal Register.

(2) VRS and IP Relay provider.  Any entity desiring to provide VRS or IP Relay services, independent from any certified state TRS program or any TRS provider otherwise eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund, and to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund, shall submit documentation to the Commission addressed to the Federal Communications Commission, Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, TRS Certification Program, Washington, DC 20554, and captioned "VRS and IP Relay Certification Application."  The documentation shall include, in narrative form:

(i) A description of the forms of TRS to be provided (i.e., VRS and/or IP Relay);

(ii) A description of how the provider will meet all non-waived mandatory minimum standards applicable to each form of TRS offered;

(iii) A description of the provider's procedures for ensuring compliance with all applicable TRS rules;

(iv) A description of the provider's complaint procedures;

(v) A narrative describing any areas in which the provider's service will differ from the applicable mandatory minimum standards;

(vi) A narrative establishing that services that differ from the mandatory minimum standards do not violate applicable mandatory minimum standards;

(vii) Demonstration of status as a common carrier;  and

(viii) A statement that the provider will file annual compliance reports demonstrating continued compliance with these rules.

(b)(1) Requirements for state certification.  After review of state documentation, the Commission shall certify, by letter, or order, the state program if the Commission determines that the state certification documentation:

(i) Establishes that the state program meets or exceeds all operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in §  64.604;

(ii) Establishes that the state program makes available adequate procedures and remedies for enforcing the requirements of the state program, including that it makes available to TRS users informational materials on state and Commission complaint procedures sufficient for users to know the proper procedures for filing complaints;  and

(iii) Where a state program exceeds the mandatory minimum standards contained in §  64.604, the state establishes that its program in no way conflicts with federal law.

(2) Requirements for VRS and IP Relay Provider FCC Certification.  After review of certification documentation, the Commission shall certify, by Public Notice, that the VRS or IP Relay provider is eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund if the Commission determines that the certification documentation:

(i) Establishes that the provision of VRS and/or IP Relay will meet or exceed all non-waived operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in §  64.604;

(ii) Establishes that the VRS and/or IP Relay provider makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section and the mandatory minimum standards contained in §  64.604, including that it makes available for TRS users informational materials on complaint procedures sufficient for users to know the proper procedures for filing complaints;  and

(iii) Where the TRS service differs from the mandatory minimum standards contained in §  64.604, the VRS and/or IP Relay provider establishes that its service does not violate applicable mandatory minimum standards.

(c)(1) State certification period.  State certification shall remain in effect for five years.  One year prior to expiration of certification, a state may apply for renewal of its certification by filing documentation as prescribed by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(2) VRS and IP Relay Provider FCC certification period.  Certification granted under this section shall remain in effect for five years.  A VRS or IP Relay provider may apply for renewal of its certification by filing documentation with the Commission, at least 90 days prior to expiration of certification, containing the information described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(d) Method of funding.  Except as provided in §  64.604, the Commission shall not refuse to certify a state program based solely on the method such state will implement for funding intrastate TRS, but funding mechanisms, if labeled, shall be labeled in a manner that promote national understanding of TRS and do not offend the public.

(e)(1) Suspension or revocation of state certification.  The Commission may suspend or revoke such certification if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission determines that such certification is no longer warranted.  In a state whose program has been suspended or revoked, the Commission shall take such steps as may be necessary, consistent with this subpart, to ensure continuity of TRS.  The Commission may, on its own motion, require a certified state program to submit documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with the Commission's minimum standards if, for example, the Commission receives evidence that a state program may not be in compliance with the minimum standards.

(2) Suspension or revocation of VRS and IP Relay Provider FCC certification.  The Commission may suspend or revoke the certification of a VRS or IP Relay provider if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission determines that such certification is no longer warranted.  The Commission may, on its own motion, require a certified VRS or IP Relay provider to submit documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with the Commission's minimum standards if, for example, the Commission receives evidence that a certified VRS or IP Relay provider may not be in compliance with the minimum standards.

(f) Notification of substantive change.

(1) States must notify the Commission of substantive changes in their TRS programs within 60 days of when they occur, and must certify that the state TRS program continues to meet federal minimum standards after implementing the substantive change.

(2) VRS and IP Relay providers certified under this section must notify the Commission of substantive changes in their TRS programs, services, and features within 60 days of when such changes occur, and must certify that the interstate TRS provider continues to meet federal minimum standards after implementing the substantive change.

(g) VRS and IP Relay providers certified under this section shall file with the Commission, on an annual basis, a report providing evidence that they are in compliance with §  64.604.

[65 FR 38440, June 21, 2000;  67 FR 13229, March 21, 2002;  68 FR 74504, Dec. 24, 2003;  69 FR 53352, Sept. 1, 2004;  70 FR 76215, Dec. 23, 2005;  71 FR 13281, March 15, 2006]

SOURCE:  56 FR 18523, April 23, 1991;  56 FR 25372, June 4, 1991;  56 FR 36731, Aug. 1, 1991;  57 FR 4740, Feb. 7, 1992;  57 FR 21040, May 18, 1992;  57 FR 48335, Oct. 23, 1992;  57 FR 54331, Nov. 18, 1992;  58 FR 44773, Aug. 25, 1993;  61 FR 24903, May 17, 1996;  61 FR 50246, Sept. 25, 1996;  61 FR 52323, Oct. 7, 1996;  61 FR 59366, Nov. 22, 1996;  62 FR 39779, July 24, 1997;  62 FR 45588, Aug. 28, 1997;  62 FR 47237, Sept. 8, 1997;  62 FR 64758, Dec. 9, 1997;  63 FR 20338, April 24, 1998;  63 FR 43041, Aug. 11, 1998;  64 FR 51469, Sept. 23, 1999;  64 FR 51718, Sept. 24, 1999;  65 FR 38435, June 21, 2000;  65 FR 48396, Aug. 8, 2000;  65 FR 54804, Sept. 11, 2000;  67 FR 9616, March 4, 2002;  67 FR 22007, May 2, 2002;  68 FR 6355, Feb. 7, 2003;  69 FR 62816, Oct. 28, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

AUTHORITY:  47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k);  secs. 403(b)(2)(B),(c), Pub.L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56.  Interpret or apply 47 U.S.C. 201, 218, 222, 225, 226, 228, and 254 (k) unless otherwise noted.

47 C. F. R. §  64.605, 47 CFR §  64.605

Current through October 11, 2006; 71 FR 59693

 

Copr. ©  2006 Thomson/West                                                     

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