END CELLS Act

This bill strengthens the ban on wireless communications devices in jails and prisons. It makes it illegal to give or try to give a wireless device to someone in a detention facility, to help bring one in, or for a person in custody to have or try to get one, when it violates federal or state laws or orders.

Penalties are tougher. Civil fines can be up to $50,000 for each violation or each day it continues, capped at $1,000,000 for a single ongoing act. There is a two-year limit to bring a civil fine. Criminal fines can be up to $50,000 per violation, and existing law on possible imprisonment still applies. The bill does not block lawful work by law enforcement or intelligence agencies, and it does not stop state officials from enforcing state law. These changes apply to actions that happen after the law is enacted. A “detention facility” means a correctional, detention, or penal facility in the United States.

Key points

• Who is affected: People held in detention, and anyone who provides, attempts to provide, or helps bring a wireless device into a detention facility; lawful activities by law enforcement and intelligence agencies are not restricted.
• What changes: Clear federal ban and stronger penalties for wireless devices in detention facilities; civil fines up to $50,000 per violation (capped at $1,000,000 for ongoing violations); criminal fines up to $50,000 per violation; two-year window to bring civil fines.
• When: Applies to conduct after the law is enacted.