H.R. 4954: Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025

This bill, known as the **Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025**, has several key provisions aimed at managing the operation of call centers, particularly those that relocate or contract work overseas. Here is a summary of its main points:

Notification Requirements

Employers must notify the Secretary of Labor at least **120 days** before relocating a call center outside of the United States or contracting call center work to another country. Failure to do so could result in a penalty of up to **$10,000** for each day of violation.

Public List of Employers

The Secretary of Labor is required to establish and maintain a public list of all employers who have relocated a call center or contracted call center work overseas. Employers will remain on this list for up to **5 years**, after which they may be removed if they relocate their operations back to the U.S. or amend contracts to require that work is done in the U.S.

Ineligibility for Federal Grants and Loans

Any employer listed as having moved call center work overseas will be **ineligible for Federal grants** or **guaranteed loans** for **5 years**. There is an exception if the employer can certify that they will rectify the situation within **180 days** following the receipt of such grants or loans.

For employers that received federal funding prior to being added to the list, they must pay penalties while listed and will lose eligibility for further disbursements. If still on the list one year after the penalty starts, their grant or loan will be canceled.

Contracting Preferences

When awarding federal contracts, agencies must give preference to employers that are not on the public list. This aims to encourage companies to keep their call center operations within the United States.

Disclosure Requirements for Customer Service Communications

Businesses engaged in customer service communications must disclose:

• Their physical location to consumers at the beginning of each communication.
• If located overseas, they must inform the consumer that they can request to be transferred to a U.S.-based agent.

Additionally, if a business uses artificial intelligence (AI) in customer service, they must disclose this to the consumer and inform them of their right to request a human operator located in the U.S.

Exceptions to Disclosure

There are exceptions to the disclosure requirements for calls where:

• All participants in the communication are located in the U.S.
• The consumer initiates the communication with a foreign entity and is aware of its location.
• The communication involves emergency services.

Regulatory Oversight

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with regulating compliance with the provisions of this bill. They can impose penalties for violations, ensuring that businesses comply with the required disclosures and notifications.

Reporting to Congress

The Secretary of Labor must provide a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, detailing the locations and amounts of call center work conducted by or for the Federal Government, including impacts related to the use of AI.

Effective Dates

The requirements for notification, penalty structures, public listings, and disclosures will take effect one year after the bill is enacted, allowing time for businesses to adapt to the new rules.

Relevant Companies

None found