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, including "incumbent local exchange carrier," and assigns the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) the responsibility to monitor and enforce these standards for all telephone companies and certified telecommunications providers. The bill requires these providers to submit semiannual quality of service reports, and if they fail to meet standards for more than two consecutive months, they must file an exception report. Noncompliance with these reporting requirements may lead to fines, and a designated representative from PURA will oversee adherence to the established quality standards.

Additionally, the bill prohibits telecommunications companies from charging reconnection fees for remote reconnections after a temporary service disconnection, while allowing them to require payment of outstanding balances before service restoration, with exceptions for certain vulnerable populations. It clarifies that these provisions do not apply to fees for new accounts or equipment activation. Violations of the bill's provisions could incur civil penalties of up to one thousand dollars per violation, with enforcement authority granted to PURA. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.

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