H.R. 3958: To require the United States Postal Service to notify postal customers and relevant officials when operations are temporarily suspended at a post office, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to notify customers and relevant officials whenever operations are temporarily suspended at any post office. Below are the main provisions of the bill:

Notice of Temporary Post Office Closure

If USPS temporarily suspends operations, it must:

1. Submit necessary notices.
2. Provide customers served by that post office a chance to comment.
3. Ensure services continue for those affected by the closure.

Details of Notices

The USPS is required to provide several details when notifying the public about a temporary closure:

• If the closure is planned, the anticipated start date.
• Reasons for the closure.
• Plans to provide services during the closure.
• An estimate of when operations will resume.

Onsite notices at the physical location must direct customers to the USPS website for more information.

Timing of Notices

Notices must be given:

• At least 60 days prior for planned closures.
• Within 14 days for unplanned closures.

Status Updates

If a post office is closed for over six months, USPS must provide updates every three months to customers and officials regarding the status of the closure.

Reopening Notices

Once the USPS knows when a closed post office will reopen, it must inform customers about the reopening date and location, if it has moved.

Distribution of Notices

Notices must be distributed in multiple ways:

1. Sent by mail to customers.
2. Posted at the post office’s physical location.
3. Made available on the USPS website.
4. Published on relevant social media platforms.
5. Sent via email to related officials.

Definition of Relevant Officials

Relevant officials include:

• Members of Congress representing the area served by the post office.
• Senators from the state that includes the post office.
• Heads of local governments with jurisdiction over the area served by the post office.

Opportunity for Comment

The USPS must provide an opportunity for customers to express their views on the temporary suspension, including feedback about relocation if applicable.

Replacement Retail Postal Services

Within 10 days of a post office's temporary closure, the USPS must make available alternative services, as feasible, that were previously offered. These may include:

• Sale of packaging materials.
• Providing a means for post office box holders to receive their mail.
• Accepting requests for address changes or temporary mail holds.

Duration of Services

The USPS must continue to provide replacement services until the original post office reopens.

Applicability

This bill applies only to temporary suspensions of operations that occur after the bill is enacted.

Relevant Companies

• None found