BILL NUMBER: S493
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to responsibility
for cable bills after a disconnection or downgrade in service
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would provide a cable company customer the option to receive a
prorated refund or billing in the event of a disconnection or downgrade.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends 224-b of the public service law as it
relates to limiting the services of a cable company customer is liable
for to services incurred up to a requested disconnection or downgrade of
service. A customer would be entitled to receive a prorated refund for a
disconnection or a billing credit for a downgrade.
Section two of the bill relates to the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Cable companies do not offer prorated refunds for services that have
been disconnected; leaving customers paying for services they no longer
have. Often cable bills are paid in advance for services so any discon-
nection before the end of the billing cycle will result in the customer
paying for services they are not using. This bill provides parity with
customers by requiring cable companies to provide refunds on a pro rata
basis for when the disconnection becomes effective.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: S7457A
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S493: 224-b public service law