1. Until an independent administrator is selected pursuant to NRS 704.040 or the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier is able to certify and recertify the eligibility of customers in this State for lifeline service, an eligible provider may access any database, if one exists, that is created and maintained by the Department for the exclusive purpose of determining or verifying the status of an eligible customer. Such access by an eligible provider is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department and is prohibited:

(a) For any purpose other than the purpose described in this subsection; and

(b) After an independent administrator is selected pursuant to NRS 704.040 and the independent administrator is able to inform eligible providers of the status of their customers’ eligibility to receive lifeline service or the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier is able to certify and recertify the eligibility of customers in this State for lifeline service.

2. An independent administrator selected pursuant to NRS 704.040 or the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, as applicable, may access any database described in subsection 1 and, to the extent authorized by state and federal law, access any other database, if one exists, that is created and maintained by any other state agency for the exclusive purpose of determining or verifying the status of an eligible customer.

3. As used in this section, “National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier” has the meaning ascribed to it in 47 C.F.R. § 54.400.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 1809; A 2017, 514)