Loading chat...

GA SR858

Resolution

Official Source

Status

Engrossed

2/29/2012

Primary Sponsor

Earl Carter

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2011-2012 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Urges the U.S. Congress to amend the Communications Act of 1934 and FCC rules to permit the use of "cellular jammers" in prisons, jails, and youth detention facilities to prevent illegal cell phone use by inmates
  • In 2011, the Georgia Department of Corrections confiscated more than 8,500 illegal cell phones and arrested more than 300 visitors and 60 staff employees for attempting to smuggle phones into state prisons
  • Current federal law (47 U.S.C. § 302a(b) and 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(a)) prohibits the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale, and operation of cellular jammers within the United States
  • A Georgia Department of Corrections study found cellular jammers to be the only cost-effective technology to address illegal cell phone use, which has been linked to coordinated gang fights, hospitalization of 15 inmates, and serious injury to a correctional officer
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to FCC commissioners, the Georgia congressional delegation, and Governor Nathan Deal

Legislative Description

U.S.Congress; urge to permit the use of "cellular jammers" for the prevention of illegal cell phone use in prisons, jails, youth detention facilities

Last Action

Senate Passed/Adopted

2/29/2012

Committee Referrals

Public Safety2/15/2012

Full Bill Text

No bill text available