---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 225"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "225"
heading: "Telecommunications services for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/225"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Wire or Radio Communication"
  - "Subchapter II — Common Carriers"
  - "Part I — Common Carrier Regulation"
---

# §225. Telecommunications services for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals

- (a) **Definitions—** As used in this section—
  - (1) **Common carrier or carrier—** The term “[common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11)” or “[carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11)” includes any [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in [interstate communication](/usc/47/153.md?p=28) by wire or radio as defined in [section 153 of this title](/usc/47/153.md) and any [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in intrastate [communication by wire](/usc/47/153.md?p=59) or radio, notwithstanding sections [152(b)](/usc/47/152.md?p=b) and [221(b)](/usc/47/221.md?p=b) of this title.
  - (2) **TDD—** The term “TDD” means a [Telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) Device for the Deaf, which is a machine that employs graphic communication in the transmission of coded signals through a wire or [radio communication](/usc/47/153.md?p=40) system.
  - (3) **Telecommunications relay services—** The term “[telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services” means telephone transmission services that provide the ability for an individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or who has a speech [disability](/usc/47/153.md?p=18) to engage in [communication by wire](/usc/47/153.md?p=59) or radio with one or more individuals, in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a hearing individual who does not have a speech [disability](/usc/47/153.md?p=18) to communicate using voice communication services by wire or radio.
- (b) **Availability of telecommunications relay services—**
  - (1) **In general—** In order to carry out the purposes established under [section 151 of this title](/usc/47/151.md), to make available to all individuals in the [United States](/usc/47/153.md?p=58) a rapid, efficient nationwide communication service, and to increase the utility of the telephone system of the Nation, the Commission shall ensure that interstate and intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services are available, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner, to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals in the [United States](/usc/47/153.md?p=58).
  - (2) **Use of general authority and remedies—** For the purposes of administering and enforcing the provisions of this section and the regulations prescribed thereunder, the Commission shall have the same authority, power, and functions with respect to [common carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in intrastate communication as the Commission has in administering and enforcing the provisions of this subchapter with respect to any [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in [interstate communication](/usc/47/153.md?p=28). Any violation of this section by any [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in intrastate communication shall be subject to the same remedies, penalties, and procedures as are applicable to a violation of this chapter by a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) engaged in [interstate communication](/usc/47/153.md?p=28).
- (c) **Provision of services—** Each [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) providing telephone voice transmission services shall, not later than 3 years after July 26, 1990, provide in compliance with the regulations prescribed under this section, throughout the area in which it offers service, [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services, individually, through designees, through a competitively selected vendor, or in concert with other [carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11). A [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) shall be considered to be in compliance with such regulations—
  - (1) with respect to intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services in any [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) that does not have a certified program under [subsection (f)](#f) and with respect to interstate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services, if such [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) (or other entity through which the [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) is providing such relay services) is in compliance with the Commission’s regulations under [subsection (d)](#d); or
  - (2) with respect to intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services in any [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) that has a certified program under [subsection (f)](#f) for such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47), if such [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) (or other entity through which the [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) is providing such relay services) is in compliance with the program certified under [subsection (f)](#f) for such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47).
- (d) **Regulations—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Commission shall, not later than 1 year after July 26, 1990, prescribe regulations to implement this section, including regulations that—
    - (A) establish functional requirements, guidelines, and operations procedures for [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services;
    - (B) establish minimum standards that shall be met in carrying out [subsection (c)](#c);
    - (C) require that [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services operate every day for 24 hours per day;
    - (D) require that users of [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services pay rates no greater than the rates paid for functionally equivalent voice communication services with respect to such factors as the duration of the call, the time of day, and the distance from point of origination to point of termination;
    - (E) prohibit relay [operators](/usc/47/153.md?p=38-A) from failing to fulfill the obligations of [common carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) by refusing calls or limiting the length of calls that use [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services;
    - (F) prohibit relay [operators](/usc/47/153.md?p=38-A) from disclosing the content of any relayed conversation and from keeping records of the content of any such conversation beyond the duration of the call; and
    - (G) prohibit relay [operators](/usc/47/153.md?p=38-A) from intentionally altering a relayed conversation.
  - (2) **Technology—** The Commission shall ensure that regulations prescribed to implement this section encourage, consistent with [section 157(a) of this title](/usc/47/157.md?p=a), the use of existing technology and do not discourage or impair the development of improved technology.
  - (3) **Jurisdictional separation of costs—**
    - (A) **In general—** Consistent with the provisions of [section 410 of this title](/usc/47/410.md), the Commission shall prescribe regulations governing the jurisdictional separation of costs for the services provided pursuant to this section.
    - (B) **Recovering costs—** Such regulations shall generally provide that costs caused by interstate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services shall be recovered from all subscribers for every interstate service and costs caused by intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services shall be recovered from the intrastate jurisdiction. In a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) that has a certified program under [subsection (f)](#f), a [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) shall permit a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) to recover the costs incurred in providing intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services by a method consistent with the requirements of this section.
- (e) **Enforcement—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to subsections [(f)](#f) and [(g)](#g), the Commission shall enforce this section.
  - (2) **Complaint—** The Commission shall resolve, by final order, a complaint alleging a violation of this section within 180 days after the date such complaint is filed.
- (f) **Certification—**
  - (1) **State documentation—** Any [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) desiring to establish a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program under this section shall submit documentation to the Commission that describes the program of such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) for implementing intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services and the procedures and remedies available for enforcing any requirements imposed by the [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program.
  - (2) **Requirements for certification—** After review of such documentation, the Commission shall certify the [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program if the Commission determines that—
    - (A) the program makes available to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals, either directly, through designees, through a competitively selected vendor, or through regulation of intrastate [common carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11), intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services in such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) in a manner that meets or exceeds the requirements of regulations prescribed by the Commission under [subsection (d)](#d); and
    - (B) the program makes available adequate procedures and remedies for enforcing the requirements of the [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program.
  - (3) **Method of funding—** Except as provided in [subsection (d)](#d), the Commission shall not refuse to certify a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program based solely on the method such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) will implement for funding intrastate telecommunication relay services.
  - (4) **Suspension or revocation of certification—** The Commission may suspend or revoke such certification if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission determines that such certification is no longer warranted. In a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) whose program has been suspended or revoked, the Commission shall take such steps as may be necessary, consistent with this section, to ensure continuity of [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services.
- (g) **Complaint—**
  - (1) **Referral of complaint—** If a complaint to the Commission alleges a violation of this section with respect to intrastate [telecommunications](/usc/47/153.md?p=50) relay services within a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) and certification of the program of such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) under [subsection (f)](#f) is in effect, the Commission shall refer such complaint to such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47).
  - (2) **Jurisdiction of Commission—** After referring a complaint to a [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) under [paragraph (1)](#g-1), the Commission shall exercise jurisdiction over such complaint only if—
    - (A) final action under such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program has not been taken on such complaint by such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47)—
      - (i) within 180 days after the complaint is filed with such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47); or
      - (ii) within a shorter period as prescribed by the regulations of such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47); or
    - (B) the Commission determines that such [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) program is no longer qualified for certification under [subsection (f)](#f).

## Source credit

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, § 225, as added Pub. L. 101–336, title IV, § 401(a), July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 366; amended Pub. L. 104–104, § 3(d)(1), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 61; Pub. L. 111–260, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 2755.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111–260 amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘telecommunications relay services’ means telephone transmission services that provide the ability for an individual who has a hearing impairment or speech impairment to engage in communication by wire or radio with a hearing individual in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of an individual who does not have a hearing impairment or speech impairment to communicate using voice communication services by wire or radio. Such term includes services that enable two-way communication between an individual who uses a TDD or other nonvoice terminal device and an individual who does not use such a device.”

1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–104 substituted “section 153” for “section 153(h)”.