Senate Passes Fischer's Bipartisan Legislation to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Cut Ties with Abusers, Separate from Shared Wireless Phone Plans

Press Release

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Safe Connections Act, bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai"i) that will help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers and separate from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims.

"I'm pleased to report that Senator Schatz and I were able to pass this important legislation for survivors of domestic abuse. It is critical for survivors to gain independence and separate their mobile communications from the control of an abuser's cell phone plan, while having the option of retaining their own number. The Safe Connections Act will do exactly that. The House should pass this bipartisan bill without delay," said Senator Fischer.

"Domestic Violence survivors so often have significant financial challenges when separating from the person harming them. Being unable to remove themselves from cell phone or wireless plans that their abuser has access to, allows that person to stalk them through monitoring their calls as well exert financial control over them. By shielding hotline calls from phone logs, allowing survivors to separate their numbers from an abusers account without penalty and providing for financial support during that process, this bill will have a significant impact on survivors ability to maintain safety. The Safe Connections Act is an important step toward providing safety for survivors and in giving them autonomy and control back over their own lives," said Christon MacTaggart, Executive Director of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking often face challenges when establishing independence from an abuser. These include financial insecurity and limited access to the communications tools essential to maintaining connections with family, employers, and support services. As survivors seek help and stabilize their lives, the Safe Connections Act would help them stay safe and connected by:

Allowing survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties or other requirements. This includes lines of any dependents in their care.
Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules that would enroll survivors in an existing affordability program for up to six-months as they become financially stable.
Requiring the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding seeking comment on the omission of calls and texts to hotlines from consumer-facing call logs to shield awareness of calls made to support services.
The Schatz-Fischer legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The Safe Connections Act is supported by the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Access Now, the Clinic to End Tech Abuse at Cornell University, the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA-The Wireless Association, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the International Justice Mission, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Polaris, Public Knowledge, RAINN, StrongHearts Helpline, and Legal Momentum - the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Text of the Safe Connections Act can be found here.

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