No Lifeline for the Dead Act

Jay Obernolte

Republican · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

1 cosponsor on record at Congress.gov. The named list is syncing into Govwatch and will appear here shortly — view on Congress.gov in the meantime.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-03-17

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would prevent phone companies from continuing cellular service for deceased people, requiring them to shut down accounts and stop billing families after receiving proper notification of death. The measure aims to protect grieving families from unexpected charges and reduce confusion when dealing with a loved one's phone account during an already difficult time. It affects wireless carriers and their customers' families who may struggle with canceling service for the deceased.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7963 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7963 To direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations to improve the Lifeline program of the Commission, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 17, 2026 Mr. Obernolte introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations to improve the Lifeline program of the Commission, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``No Lifeline for the Dead Act''. SEC. 2. LIFELINE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate regulations with respect to the Lifeline program to provide for the following: (1) The eligibility of a consumer for assistance under such program shall be determined using the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Lifeline Accountability Database, without any option for opting out of such Verifier or such Database on the basis of a State or other system related to eligibility determinations. (2) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, any consumer whose eligibility for assistance under such program was determined without use of the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Lifeline Accountability Database-- (A) shall have the eligibility of such consumer for assistance under such program reexamined and determined using such Verifier and such Database; and (B) shall be no longer eligible for assistance under such program if determined ineligible pursuant to a reexamination under subparagraph (A). (3) Only a consumer who is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien shall be eligible for assistance under such program. (4) Only a consumer who provides, as part of the application process for assistance under such program, the Social Security number (or a Tribal identifier) of such consumer shall be eligible for assistance under such program. (b) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Lifeline program.--The term ``Lifeline program'' means the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission, set forth in subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (2) National lifeline accountability database.--The term ``National Lifeline Accountability Database'' has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (3) National lifeline eligibility verifier.--The term ``National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier'' has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (4) Qualified alien.--The term ``qualified alien'' has the meaning given such term in section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641). <all>

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