#aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ajb ,,an ,,act ,to direct the ,federal ,communications ,commission to commence proceedings related to the resiliency of critical communications networks during times of emergency1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,securing ,access to ,networks in ,disasters ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the voluntary policies outlined in the ,wireless ,network ,resiliency ,cooperative ,framework should be adhered to by all parties to aid consumers1 #i-a-a professionals1 first responders1 and local governments1 in accessing communication services during times of emergency4 #c4 ,securing access to networks in disasters 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term ,commission means the ,federal ,communications ,commission2 7#b7 the term mobile service means-- 7,a7 commercial mobile service 7as defined in section #ccb of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #ccb772 or 7,b7 commercial mobile data service 7as defined in section #fjja of the ,middle ,class ,tax ,relief and ,job ,creation ,act of #bjab 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #adja772 7#c7 the term times of emergency means-- 7,a7 an emergency or major disaster1 as those terms are defined in section #ajb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb72 or 7,b7 an emergency as declared by the ,governor of a ,state or territory of the ,united ,states2 and 7#d7 the term ,wi,fi access points means wireless ,internet access using the standard designated as #hjb4aa or any variant thereof4 7b7 ,,fcc study on alternative access to #i-a-a services during times of emergency 7#a7 ,study ,not later than #cf months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to ,congress1 and make publicly available on the website of the ,commission1 a study on the public safety benefits and technical feasibility and cost of-- 7,a7 making telecommunications service provider-owned ,wi,fi access points1 and other telecommunications service provider-owned communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum1 available to the general public for access to #i-a-a services1 without requiring any login credentials1 during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable2 7,b7 the provision by non-telecommunications service provider-owned ,wi,fi access points of public access to #i-a-a services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable2 and 7,c7 other alternative means of providing the public with access to #i-a-a services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable4 7#b7 ,considerations ,in conducting the study required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall consider issues related to making ,wi,fi access points available to the general public for access to #i-a-a services1 including communications network provider liability1 the operational security of communications networks1 and any existing actions or authorities in and among the ,states4 7c7 ,,gao study and report 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term essential communications services means wireline and mobile telephone service1 ,internet access service1 radio and television broadcasting1 cable service1 and direct broadcast satellite service2 and 7,b7 the term ,executive departments has the meaning given the term in section #aja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,study ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study on-- 7,a7 how ,executive departments can better ensure essential communications services remain operational during times of emergency2 7,b7 any legislative matters1 if appropriate1 ,congress could consider to help promote the resiliency of essential communications services2 and 7,c7 whether a nationwide directory of points of contact among providers of essential communications services is needed to facilitate the rapid restoration of such services damaged during times of emergency4 7#c7 ,considerations ,in making the determination described in paragraph 7#b77;,c71 the ,comptroller ,general shall consider-- 7,a7 any similar directories that exist at the ,federal1 ,state1 or local level1 including the effectiveness of such directories2 7,b7 how such a directory could be established and updated1 including what types of information would be most useful2 7,c7 how access to such a directory could be managed to adequately ensure the confidentiality of any sensitive information and operational security of essential communications services2 and 7,d7 the resources necessary to establish and maintain such a directory4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall transmit a report to ,congress containing the findings and recommendations of the study required under paragraph 7#b74 7d7 ,expanding list of essential service providers during federally declared emergencies ,to include all communications providers2 providing access to essential service providers ,section #dbg of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahi;e7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 by striking telecommunications service and inserting wireline or mobile telephone service1 ,internet access service1 radio or television broadcasting1 cable service1 or direct broadcast satellite service2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,mutual aid agreements ,the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 shall encourage the adoption of mutual aid agreements that recognize the credentials of essential service providers issued by all parties to the mutual aid agreement4 4 7e7 ,communications networks are designated essential assistance during federally declared emergencies ,section #djc7;a77#c7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj;b7a77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,i71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,j71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,k7 allowing for access to essential service providers necessary for establishing temporary or restoring wireline or mobile telephone service1 ,internet access service1 radio or television broadcasting1 cable service1 or direct broadcast satellite service4 4 ,passed the ,senate ,september #aa1 #bjag4,secretary