BILL NUMBER: S1203B
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to establishing a
moratorium prohibiting certain broadband terminations or disconnections
during a state disaster emergency
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes a moratorium prohibiting certain broadband terminations and
disconnections during a state disaster emergency.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Defines "broadband service"
Section 2. Provides the prohibiting of a person, business, corporation,
or their agents providing or seeking to provide service in New York
state from terminating or disconnecting services provided over their
infrastructure to a residential service customer or a small business
customer This section also established the duty for service providers to
restore service at the request of any residential or small business
customer within 48 hours if such service is terminated during the state
disaster
Section 3. Provides the prohibiting of termination or disconnect of
service provided to customers due to defaulted deferred payment agree-
ments or arrears owed when the customer has experienced a change in
financial circumstances due to a state disaster emergency.
Section 4. Service providers must notify customers in writing to be
included in bill statement or when appropriate via electronic trans-
mission the provisions, which have certified a change in financial
circumstances due to the state disaster emergency, of offering such
customers a deferred payment agreement consistent with article two of
the public service law.
Section 5. Service providers are not prohibited from recovering lost or
deferred revenues after the lifting or expiration of a state disaster
emergency.
Section 6. Whenever there is a violation, an application may be made by
the attorney general in the name of the people of the state of New York
to a court or justice having jurisdiction, enjoining or restraining any
further violations.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Broadband service is not only necessary to apply to jobs, but is vital
to appointment making for New York residents to receive the COVID-19
vaccine, to participate in telemedicine appointments, pay bills, for
students to continue their education, and allow those working remotely
to continue to. This bill also makes necessary technical changes to
provisions relating to the COVID-19 state disaster emergency.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S5524 - REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that this act
shall be applicable to relevant executive orders issued on or after the
effective date of this act.