HB4873 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 19132 JLS 68595 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4873

Introduced 2/18/2020, by Rep. Kathleen Willis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the School Wireless Telecommunications Amplifier Act. Provides that wireless communications carriers must provide and install bidirectional amplifiers in a school upon request of a school administrator to support adequate radio or wireless telephone communications for public safety providers. Provides that willful violations of the Act are subject to the penalties and sanctions provided under the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning telecommunications.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the School Wireless Telecommunications Amplifier Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Bidirectional amplifier" means an electronic system designed to support adequate radio or wireless telephone communications for public safety providers, including, but not limited to, police, fire, and medical emergency professionals anywhere within the school structure where students may be found. The frequency ranges that must be supported are 806 MHz to 816 MHz and 856 MHz to 866 MHz.

"School" means a student attendance center operated by any public school district or charter school or a private school providing general educational services for an indefinite service population.

"School administrator" means the superintendent of a public school district, the principal of a public school attendance center or charter school, or the chief executive official of a private school.

"Wireless carrier" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 2 of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

Section 10. School assistance required. Upon the written request of a school administrator, a wireless carrier shall, at no cost to the school, timely provide the equipment for, the installation of, and maintenance of a bidirectional amplifier appropriate to the needs of the school as necessary for the reasonable and effective functioning of public safety providers attending to their duties within the school. The assistance shall be provided as soon as practicable, but in no event more than 60 days after the written request is received.

Section 15. Penalty. A wireless carrier that willfully fails to comply with the requirements of this Act is subject to the penalties and other appropriate sanctions authorized to be imposed by the Illinois Commerce Commission under Article XIII of the Public Utilities Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.