The proposed General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 545 seeks to improve telecommunications quality of service standards and eliminate remote reconnection fees. It introduces new definitions, such as "incumbent local exchange carrier," and establishes a framework for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to monitor and enforce these standards across all telecommunications providers, including those using voice over Internet protocol. The bill mandates that PURA adopt methodologies for compliance monitoring and requires telecommunications providers to submit semiannual quality of service reports. Failure to meet established standards for more than two consecutive months will trigger the need for an exception report, and non-compliance with reporting requirements may result in fines.

Additionally, the bill prohibits telecommunications companies from charging reconnection fees for remote reconnections after temporary service disconnections, with exceptions for outstanding balances for certain vulnerable customers. It defines key terms related to telecommunications services and outlines the responsibilities of companies regarding service disconnections. The legislation aims to enhance customer service and operational transparency in the telecommunications sector, with an effective date of October 1, 2025. The bill includes specific amendments to existing statutes, reinforcing accountability and compliance within the industry.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 16-247p
ET Joint Favorable: 16-247p
File No. 421: 16-247p
JUD Joint Favorable: 16-247p