H6355

	2017 -- H 6355
	========
	LC002909
	========
	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017
	____________
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TELEPHONE NUMBER
	PORTABILITY

	Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Solomon, Vella-Wilkinson, Shanley, and Bennett
	Date Introduced: June 22, 2017
	Referred To: House Corporations
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND
2	CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
3	CHAPTER 32
4	PHONE NUMBER PORTABILITY
5	39-32-1. Definitions.
6	As used in this chapter:
7	(1) "Phone number" means a string of specific numbers that a wireless or wireline phone
8	user can dial to reach another phone or mobile phone.
9	(2) "Phone number portability" means the ability of customers of record of
10	telecommunications service providers of telecommunications services to retain, within the same
11	area code, existing phone numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience,
12	when changing from one telecommunications carrier to another, or one type of
13	telecommunications service to another.
14	(3) "Telecommunications service provider" means any provider or carrier of
15	telecommunication services including local exchange carriers and wireless telecommunications
16	service providers.
17	39-32-2. Phone number portability required -- Time limits.
18	(a) Upon request of a customer of record, a telecommunications service provider shall

1	reassign, within the same area code, the customer's existing phone number to another
2	telecommunications service provider, without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience.
3	(b) Telecommunications service providers shall reserve phone numbers from any
4	customer of record that elects not to retain their phone number for a period of one year after the
5	customer changes to another telecommunications service provider or service type.
6	39-32-3. Portability fees.
7	(a) Telecommunications service providers may charge a reasonable fee to reassign phone
8	numbers.
9	(b) Telecommunications service providers shall reassign phone numbers upon request of
10	any customer of record, even if the customer owes an outstanding balance to the provider.
11	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
	========
	LC002909
	========
	LC002909 - Page 2 of 3
	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TELEPHONE NUMBER
	PORTABILITY
	***
1	This act would allow users of telecommunications services to retain, within the same area
2	code, existing phone numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when
3	switching from one telecommunications service provider to another.
4	This act would take effect upon passage.
	========
	LC002909
	========
	LC002909 - Page 3 of 3