Communications: lifeline telephone service program.

Assembly Member Valencia's privacy protection measure for California's Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program would establish new restrictions on how participant data can be shared with government agencies. The legislation prohibits the Public Utilities Commission, program administrators, and service providers from disclosing applicant or subscriber information to local, state, federal, or immigration authorities without a court order or judicial warrant.

The bill creates specific parameters around data handling while maintaining program functionality. While entities may continue sharing records needed to verify program eligibility, any use of aggregated participant data for analysis or reporting must ensure individual subscribers cannot be identified. The measure also modifies application requirements, allowing but not mandating that applicants provide Social Security numbers to participate in the lifeline program.

Under the Public Utilities Code, violations of these new privacy provisions would constitute criminal offenses. The bill specifies that while it creates a state-mandated local program, no reimbursement to local agencies is required since the changes only modify existing criminal statutes. The measure includes a legislative finding that it qualifies as state law permitting assistance to individuals without Social Security numbers under federal code.