2013 -- S 0382

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - WIRELESS TELEPHONE SERVICE

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, DiPalma, Walaska, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-2-1.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-2 entitled "Duties of

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Public Utilities and Carriers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     39-2-1.3. Payment for cellular telephone services -- Late charges. – Regulation of

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wireless telephone services. -- (a) No subscriber to a cellular telephone service shall be subject

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to an assessment of a late fee on a monthly billing unless the payment is at least thirty (30) days

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past the close of the billing period which is the subject of the statement. A cellular telephone

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operator shall not impose a late fee unless the bill contains a clear and conspicuous notice of

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when the late fee is to be imposed consistent with this section.

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     (b) The division shall prescribe such reasonable rules and regulations as it shall deem

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proper to assure that the customers of wireless telecommunications carriers have a regulatory

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forum for pursuing complaints and redress related to billing and sales practices and quality of

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service.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - WIRELESS TELEPHONE SERVICE

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     This act would permit the division to promulgate rules and regulations designed to

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provide consumers with a regulatory forum for pursuing complaints and redress against wireless

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telecommunications carriers related to billing and sales practices and quality of service.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00945

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S0382