NY State Senate Bill 2019-S4029

Senate Bill S4029

2019-2020 Legislative Session

Relates to requiring certain notices to be provided to customers receiving telephone service through fiber optic-based telephone lines

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Energy And Telecommunications Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 08, 2020	referred to energy and telecommunications
Jun 20, 2019	committed to rules
May 06, 2019	advanced to third reading amended 4029b
May 01, 2019	2nd report cal.
Apr 30, 2019	1st report cal.528
Mar 20, 2019	print number 4029a
Mar 20, 2019	amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Feb 25, 2019	referred to energy and telecommunications

Votes

- Apr 30, 2019 - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote
  S4029
  
  7
  
  Aye
  
  2
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Energy And Telecommunications Committee Vote: Apr 30, 2019
      
      aye (7)
      
      Carlucci
      
      Harckham
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Metzger
      
      Parker
      
      Ritchie
      
      nay (2)
      
      Funke
      
      Ortt

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2019-S4029 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §104, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S3479

2019-S4029 - Summary

Requires certain notices to be provided to customers at least forty-five days before such telephone corporation intends to change such customer's telephone service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber optic-based telephone lines.

2019-S4029 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4029

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
requiring certain notices to be provided to customers receiving tele-
phone service through fiber optic-based telephone lines

 
PURPOSE:

To authorize the PSC to require telephone corporations to provide notice
to customers in the event of a switch from copper to fiber optic-based
telephone lines.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds a new section 104 to the public service law. Pursuant
to this section, the commission shall require each telephone corporation
that provides local exchange service to provide a notice containing
information to customers on the differences between copper-based tele-
phone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines at least forty-five
days before such telephone corporation intends to change a customer's

telephone service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber optic-based
telephone lines. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to the
following: a description of the differences between copper-based tele-
phone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines; the differences
between the effect a power outage would have on the telephone service
provided by copper-based and fiber optic-based telephone lines, includ-
ing the availability of battery back-up options; an explanation of
whether the service will continue to be regulated by the commission; and
a phone number and contact information for customers who seek additional
information or wish to make a complaint to the commission.

This section further provides that the commission shall have the power
to prescribe the form and content of the notice established pursuant to
this section. In addition, every telephone corporation shall file with
the commission the notice established pursuant to this section and
obtain approval as to the form and content thereof prior to providing
notice to customers.

Section two provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In efforts to provide more efficient service to customers, telecommuni-
cation corporations have begun switching from copper-based telephone
lines to fiber optic- based lines. Some of the benefits to using fiber
optic lines over copper lines include the fact that they are less expen-
sive to install; they do not break down as easily and are also less
susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as temperature and
electromagnetic fluctuations; and they offer enhanced performance capa-
bilities, for instance faster speeds and lower rates of signal loss.

However, the use of fiber optic lines does present certain consider-
ations. One significant issue is a customer's inability to use their
telephone in the event of a pow& outage. During an outage, a phone
connected to a copper wire line will continue to work.

However, a phone connected to a fiber optic line will only work during
an outage if a customer has a back-up battery. The phone would continue
to work until the battery runs out of power. This situation is especial-
ly problematic for low income individuals who might not have access to a
back-up battery nor even the resources to purchase one, the elderly, and
also for those who rely on their landline at home for work purposes,
such as doctors who use their phone to connect with patients when they
are out of the office.

This legislation adds a new section to the Public Service Law to author-
ize the Public Service Commission to require all telephone corporations
providing local exchange services to provide a notice to customers in
the event that the customer's service is being switched from copper-
based telephone lines to fiber optic-based telephone lines. The notice
shall include a description of the differences between copper-based
lines and fiber optic-based lines; the differences between the effect a
power outage would have on the telephone service provided by copper-
based and fiber optic-based lines; an explanation of whether the service
will continue to be regulated by the commission; and contact information
for customers who want additional information or wish to make a
complaint to the commission. Such notice shall be provided at least
forty-five days before the switch.

This legislation will support greater transparency and will provide
customers with the resources to understand the changes and potential
disruptions to their service when their telephone lines are switched
from copper to fiber optic-based lines.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one  hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law.

2019-S4029 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4029
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 25, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
   cations
 
 AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring certain
   notices  to  be  provided  to  customers  receiving  telephone service
   through fiber optic-based telephone lines

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section
 104 to read as follows:
   § 104. NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ON FIBER OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES.  1.
 THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  REQUIRE EACH TELEPHONE CORPORATION THAT PROVIDES
 LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE TO PROVIDE A  NOTICE  CONTAINING  INFORMATION  TO
 CUSTOMERS  ON  THE  DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES AND
 FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES AT LEAST FORTY-FIVE DAYS  BEFORE  SUCH
 TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  INTENDS  TO  CHANGE  SUCH  CUSTOMER'S  TELEPHONE
 SERVICE FROM COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES TO FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE
 LINES.  SUCH NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE  FOLLOWING:
 A  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES
 AND FIBER OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES;  THE  DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN  THE
 EFFECT  A  POWER  OUTAGE WOULD HAVE ON THE TELEPHONE SERVICE PROVIDED BY
 COPPER-BASED AND FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES, INCLUDING THE AVAIL-
 ABILITY OF BATTERY  BACK-UP  OPTIONS;  AN  EXPLANATION  OF  WHETHER  THE
 SERVICE  WILL  CONTINUE  TO  BE REGULATED BY THE COMMISSION; AND A PHONE
 NUMBER AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO SEEK ADDITIONAL  INFOR-
 MATION OR WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE COMMISSION.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  HAVE  THE  POWER TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM AND
 CONTENT OF THE NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE  COMMIS-
 SION  MAY  FROM  TIME TO TIME PRESCRIBE, BY ORDER, CHANGES IN THE NOTICE
 THEREOF.  THE COMMISSION SHALL ALSO HAVE POWER TO  ESTABLISH  RULES  AND
 REGULATIONS FOR SUCH NOTICE AND MAY FROM TIME TO TIME MODIFY THE SAME.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD09213-01-9

 S. 4029                             2
 
   3.  EVERY  TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  SHALL  FILE WITH THE COMMISSION THE
 NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND OBTAIN  APPROVAL  AS  TO
 THE  FORM  AND CONTENT THEREOF PRIOR TO PROVIDING SUCH NOTICE TO CUSTOM-
 ERS.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, ANY SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE DEEMED  TO
 BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION NINETY DAYS AFTER SUCH CORPORATION APPLIES
 TO  THE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL, UNLESS THE COMMISSION, OR ITS DESIGNEE,
 DETERMINES WITHIN SUCH  NINETY  DAY  PERIOD  THAT  THE  PUBLIC  INTEREST
 REQUIRES THE COMMISSION'S REVIEW AND ITS WRITTEN ORDER.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.

2019-S4029A - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §104, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S3479

2019-S4029A - Summary

2019-S4029A - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4029A

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
requiring certain notices to be provided to customers receiving tele-
phone service through fiber optic-based telephone lines

 
PURPOSE:

To authorize the PSC to require telephone corporations to provide notice
to customers in the event of a switch from copper to fiber optic-based
telephone lines.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds a new section 104 to the public service law. Pursuant
to this section, the commission shall require each telephone corporation
that provides local exchange service to provide a notice containing
information to customers on the differences between copper-based tele-
phone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines prior to when such
telephone corporation intends to change a customer's telephone service

from copper-based telephone lines to fiber optic-based telephone lines.
Except (i) in cases of emergency, or (ii) upon the request of the
customer, such notice shall be provided to the customer at least forty-
five days before such telephone corporation intends to change such
customer's telephone service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber
optic-based telephone lines. Such notice shall include, but not be
limited to the following: a description of the differences between
copper-based telephone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines; the
differences between the effect a power outage would have on the tele-
phone service provided by copper-based and fiber optic-based telephone
lines, including the availability of battery back-up options; an expla-
nation of whether the service will continue to be regulated by the
commission; and a phone number and contact information for customers who
seek additional information or wish to make a complaint to the commis-
sion.

This section further provides that the commission shall have the power
to prescribe the form and content of the notice established pursuant to
this section. In addition, every telephone corporation shall file with
the commission the notice established pursuant to this section and
obtain approval as to the form and content thereof prior to providing
notice to customers.

Section two provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In efforts to provide more efficient service to customers, telecommuni-
cation corporations have begun switching from copper-based telephone
lines to fiber optic-based lines. Some of the benefits to using fiber
optic lines over copper lines include the fact that they are less expen-
sive to install; they do not break down as easily and are also less
susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as temperature and
electromagnetic fluctuations; and they offer enhanced performance capa-
bilities, for instance faster speeds and lower rates of signal loss.

However, the use of fiber optic lines does present certain consider-
ations. One significant issue is a customer's inability to use their
telephone in the event of a power outage. During an outage, a phone
connected to a copper wire line will continue to work. However, a phone
connected to a fiber optic line will only work during an outage if a
customer has a back-up battery. The phone would continue to work until
the battery runs out of power. This situation is especially problematic
for low income individuals who might not have access to a back-up
battery nor even the resources to purchase one, the elderly, and also
for those who rely on their landline at home for work purposes, such as
doctors who use their phone to connect with patients when they are out
of the office.

This legislation adds a new section to the Public Service Law to author-
ize the Public Service Commission to require all telephone corporations
providing local exchange services to provide notice to customers prior
to a customer's service being switched from copper-based telephone lines
to fiber optic-based telephone lines. The notice shall include a
description of the differences between copper-based lines and fiber
optic-based lines; the differences between the effect a power outage
would have on the telephone service provided by copper-based and fiber
optic-based lines; an explanation of whether the service will continue
to be regulated by the commission; and contact information for customers
who want additional information or wish to make a complaint to the
commission.

This legislation will support greater transparency and will provide
customers with the resources to understand the changes and potential
disruptions to their service when their telephone lines are switched
from copper to fiber optic-based lines.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.

2019-S4029A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4029--A
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 25, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
   cations  --  committee  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
   amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring certain
   notices to  be  provided  to  customers  receiving  telephone  service
   through fiber optic-based telephone lines
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a  new  section
 104 to read as follows:
   §  104.  NOTICE  TO CUSTOMERS ON FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES. 1.
 THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE EACH TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  THAT  PROVIDES
 LOCAL  EXCHANGE  SERVICE  TO  PROVIDE A NOTICE CONTAINING INFORMATION TO
 CUSTOMERS ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPPER-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES  AND
 FIBER  OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES PRIOR TO WHEN SUCH TELEPHONE CORPO-
 RATION INTENDS TO CHANGE SUCH CUSTOMER'S TELEPHONE SERVICE FROM  COPPER-
 BASED  TELEPHONE LINES TO FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES.  EXCEPT (I)
 IN CASES OF AN EMERGENCY, OR (II) UPON THE REQUEST OF THE CUSTOMER, SUCH
 NOTICE SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER AT LEAST FORTY-FIVE DAYS BEFORE
 SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION INTENDS TO CHANGE SUCH  CUSTOMER'S  TELEPHONE
 SERVICE FROM COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES TO FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE
 LINES.   SUCH NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
 A DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN  COPPER-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES
 AND  FIBER  OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES;  THE  DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
 EFFECT A POWER OUTAGE WOULD HAVE ON THE TELEPHONE  SERVICE  PROVIDED  BY
 COPPER-BASED AND FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES, INCLUDING THE AVAIL-
 ABILITY  OF  BATTERY  BACK-UP  OPTIONS;  AN  EXPLANATION  OF WHETHER THE
 SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED BY THE  COMMISSION;  AND  A  PHONE
 NUMBER  AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO SEEK ADDITIONAL INFOR-
 MATION OR WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE COMMISSION.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD09213-03-9

 S. 4029--A                          2
 
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE  POWER  TO  PRESCRIBE  THE  FORM  AND
 CONTENT  OF THE NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE COMMIS-
 SION MAY FROM TIME TO TIME PRESCRIBE, BY ORDER, CHANGES  IN  THE  NOTICE
 THEREOF.    THE  COMMISSION SHALL ALSO HAVE POWER TO ESTABLISH RULES AND
 REGULATIONS FOR SUCH NOTICE AND MAY FROM TIME TO TIME MODIFY THE SAME.
   3.  EVERY  TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  SHALL  FILE WITH THE COMMISSION THE
 NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND OBTAIN  APPROVAL  AS  TO
 THE  FORM  AND CONTENT THEREOF PRIOR TO PROVIDING SUCH NOTICE TO CUSTOM-
 ERS.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, ANY SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE DEEMED  TO
 BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION NINETY DAYS AFTER SUCH CORPORATION APPLIES
 TO  THE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL, UNLESS THE COMMISSION, OR ITS DESIGNEE,
 DETERMINES WITHIN SUCH  NINETY  DAY  PERIOD  THAT  THE  PUBLIC  INTEREST
 REQUIRES THE COMMISSION'S REVIEW AND ITS WRITTEN ORDER.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.

2019-S4029B (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §104, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S3479

2019-S4029B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4029B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4029B

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
requiring certain notices to be provided to customers receiving tele-
phone service through fiber optic-based telephone lines

 
PURPOSE:

To authorize the PSC to require telephone corporations to provide notice
to customers in the event of a switch from copper to fiber optic-based
telephone lines.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds a new section 104 to the public service law. Pursuant
to this section, the commission shall require each telephone corporation
that provides local exchange service to provide a notice containing
information to customers on the differences between copper-based tele-
phone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines prior to when such
telephone corporation initiates a change to a customer's telephone

service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber optic-based telephone
lines. Except (i) in cases of emergency, including but not limited to
restoration or repair of service, or (ii) upon the request of the
customer, such notice shall be provided to the customer at least forty-
five days before such telephone corporation initiates a change to such
customer's telephone service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber
optic-based telephone lines. Such notice shall include, but not be
limited to the following: a description of.the differences between
copper-based telephone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines; the
differences between the effect a power outage would have on the tele-
phone service provided by copper-based and fiber optic-based telephone
lines, including the availability of battery back-up options; an expla-
nation of whether the service will continue to be regulated by the
commission; and a phone number and contact information for customers who
seek additional information or wish to make a complaint to the commis-
sion.

This section further provides that the commission shall have the power
to prescribe the form and content of the notice established pursuant to
this section. In addition, every telephone corporation shall file with
the commission the notice established pursuant to this section and
obtain approval as to the form and content thereof prior to providing
notice to customers.

Section two provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In efforts to provide more efficient service to customers, telecommuni-
cation corporations have begun switching from copper-based telephone
lines to fiber optic-based lines. Some of the benefits to using fiber
optic lines over copper lines include the fact that they are less expen-
sive to install; they do not break down as easily and are also less
susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as temperature and
electromagnetic fluctuations; and they offer enhanced performance capa-
bilities, for instance faster speeds and lower rates of signal loss.


However, the use of fiber optic lines does present certain consider-
ations. One significant issue is a customer's inability to use their
telephone in the event of a power outage. During an outage, a phone
connected to a copper wire line will continue to work.  However, a phone
connected to a fiber optic line will only work during an outage if a
customer has a back-up battery. The phone would continue to work until
the battery runs out of power. This situation is especially problematic
for low income individuals who might not have access to a back-up
battery nor even the resources to purchase one, the elderly, and also
for those who rely on their landline at home for work purposes, such as
doctors who use their phone to connect with patients when they are out
of the office.

This legislation adds a new section to the Public Service Law to author-
ize the Public Service Commission to require all telephone corporations
providing local exchange services to provide notice to customers prior
to a customer's service being switched from copper-based telephone lines
to fiber optic-based telephone lines.  The notice shall include a
description of the differences between copper-based lines and fiber
optic-based lines; the differences between the effect a power outage
would have on the telephone service provided by copper-based and fiber
optic-based lines; an explanation of whether the service will continue
to be regulated by the commission; and contact information for customers
who want additional information or wish to make a complaint to the
commission.

This legislation will support greater transparency and will provide
customers with the resources to understand the changes and potential
disruptions to their service when their telephone lines are switched
from copper to fiber optic-based lines.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law.

2019-S4029B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4029--B
     Cal. No. 528
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 25, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
   cations  --  committee  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
   amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported  favorably  from
   said  committee, ordered to first and second report, amended on second
   report, ordered to a third reading, and to be  reprinted  as  amended,
   retaining its place in the order of third reading
 
 AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring certain
   notices  to  be  provided  to  customers  receiving  telephone service
   through fiber optic-based telephone lines
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section
 104 to read as follows:
   § 104. NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ON FIBER OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES.  1.
 THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  REQUIRE EACH TELEPHONE CORPORATION THAT PROVIDES
 LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE TO PROVIDE A  NOTICE  CONTAINING  INFORMATION  TO
 CUSTOMERS  ON  THE  DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES AND
 FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES PRIOR TO WHEN  SUCH  TELEPHONE  CORPO-
 RATION  INITIATES  A  CHANGE  IN  SUCH CUSTOMER'S TELEPHONE SERVICE FROM
 COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE  LINES  TO  FIBER  OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES.
 EXCEPT (I) IN CASES OF AN EMERGENCY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RESTO-
 RATION  OR  REPAIR OF SERVICE, OR (II) UPON THE REQUEST OF THE CUSTOMER,
 SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER AT LEAST  FORTY-FIVE  DAYS
 BEFORE  SUCH TELEPHONE CORPORATION INITIATES A CHANGE IN SUCH CUSTOMER'S
 TELEPHONE SERVICE FROM COPPER-BASED TELEPHONE LINES TO FIBER OPTIC-BASED
 TELEPHONE LINES.  SUCH NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED  TO  THE
 FOLLOWING:  A  DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPPER-BASED TELE-
 PHONE LINES AND  FIBER  OPTIC-BASED  TELEPHONE  LINES;  THE  DIFFERENCES
 BETWEEN  THE  EFFECT  A POWER OUTAGE WOULD HAVE ON THE TELEPHONE SERVICE
 PROVIDED BY COPPER-BASED AND FIBER OPTIC-BASED TELEPHONE LINES,  INCLUD-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD09213-09-9

 S. 4029--B                          2
 
 ING  THE  AVAILABILITY  OF  BATTERY  BACK-UP  OPTIONS; AN EXPLANATION OF
 WHETHER THE SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED BY THE COMMISSION; AND
 A PHONE NUMBER AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO SEEK ADDITIONAL
 INFORMATION OR WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE COMMISSION.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  HAVE  THE  POWER TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM AND
 CONTENT OF THE NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE  COMMIS-
 SION  MAY  FROM  TIME TO TIME PRESCRIBE, BY ORDER, CHANGES IN THE NOTICE
 THEREOF.  THE COMMISSION SHALL ALSO HAVE POWER TO  ESTABLISH  RULES  AND
 REGULATIONS FOR SUCH NOTICE AND MAY FROM TIME TO TIME MODIFY THE SAME.
   3.  EVERY  TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  SHALL  FILE WITH THE COMMISSION THE
 NOTICE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND OBTAIN  APPROVAL  AS  TO
 THE  FORM  AND CONTENT THEREOF PRIOR TO PROVIDING SUCH NOTICE TO CUSTOM-
 ERS.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, ANY SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE DEEMED  TO
 BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION NINETY DAYS AFTER SUCH CORPORATION APPLIES
 TO  THE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL, UNLESS THE COMMISSION, OR ITS DESIGNEE,
 REJECTS THE NOTICE AND REQUIRES SPECIFIC CHANGES WITHIN SUCH NINETY  DAY
 PERIOD.  UPON  A  MATERIAL CHANGE TO THE FORM AND CONTENT OF AN APPROVED
 NOTICE, A TELEPHONE CORPORATION SHALL AGAIN  FILE  WITH  THE  COMMISSION
 SUCH NOTICE AND OBTAIN APPROVAL PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSION
 MAY  ESTABLISH  WHAT  SHALL CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL CHANGE TO THE FORM AND
 CONTENT OF THE NOTICE THAT WOULD NECESSITATE COMMISSION APPROVAL.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.

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