47 U.S.C. § 227b–1 — Access to number resources

This section addresses how phone numbers are handed out, to make it harder for robocall scammers to get them. (a) In general. Paragraph (1): Within 180 days after December 30, 2019, the FCC must start a proceeding to study whether its current policies on giving out phone numbers — including toll-free and regular numbers — should change. That could include creating registration and compliance rules, and requiring providers who get access to numbers to take real steps to know who their customers are, all aimed at reducing the number of illegal robocallers (violators of section 227(b)) who can get phone numbers. Paragraph (2): If the FCC decides those policy changes would help reach that goal, it must write regulations putting the changes into effect. (b) Enforcement authority. If someone knowingly helps obtain phone numbers — including toll-free numbers — from a regulated common carrier in violation of the FCC's new rules under subsection (a), whether they act directly, through an employee or agent, or by any other means, they can be hit with an FCC financial penalty under the standard forfeiture process, even though a normal exemption in that process wouldn't otherwise apply. This penalty comes on top of any other penalty the law already allows.