Communications: lifeline telephone service program.

Assembly Member Valencia's privacy protection measure for California's Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program would prohibit the Public Utilities Commission, program administrators, and service providers from sharing applicant or subscriber information with government agencies without a court order. The legislation establishes new data handling protocols for the low-income telephone assistance program while maintaining agencies' ability to verify participant eligibility.

The bill creates specific parameters for data usage, allowing program entities to employ aggregated, anonymized information for analysis and reporting purposes. It also modifies application requirements by making Social Security number submission optional rather than mandatory for program participation. These provisions apply to the main lifeline program as well as any associated pilot or sub-programs.

Under the measure's enforcement framework, violations of the new privacy protections would constitute a crime under the Public Utilities Act. The bill includes legislative findings that frame these provisions as state law authorizing services for individuals without Social Security numbers, aligning with federal statute. While imposing these new requirements on local jurisdictions, the measure specifies that no state reimbursement is required since any local costs would stem from the creation of new criminal provisions.