BILL NUMBER: S6200
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, the public authorities law and
the general business law, in relation to requiring utility companies
maintain a toll free number for reporting service outages
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation would require any gas, electric, and electric, water,
steam, telegraph, telephone, cable television company, Internet service
provider or municipality rendering equivalent utility services to have a
24/7 staffed telephone line for customers to report service outages.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the public service law by adding a new section 119-e
to require any gas, electric, gas, and electricity, water, steam, tele-
graph, telephone, cable television company, Internet service provider or
municipality rendering equivalent utility services to have a 24/7 tele-
phone line is staffed for customers to report service outages. This
number must be answered 24/7, adequately address a surge in phone call
volume during an emergency or extreme weather, and be posted clearly and
conspicuously on the company's website homepage and on the bill.
Section 2: Amends the public authorities law by adding a new section
1020-mm, which would require any gas, electric, gas and electricity,
water, steam, telegraph, telephone, cable television company, internet
service provider or municipality rendering equivalent utility services
to have a 24/7 staffed telephone line for customers to report service
outages. This number must be attended to 24/7, have the capacity to
adequately address a surge in phone call volume during an emergency
situation or extreme weather condition, and be posted clearly and
conspicuously on the homepage of the company's website as well as on the
bill.
Section 3: Amends the general business law by adding a new section 399-
yyyy, which would require any gas, electric, gas and electric, water,
steam, telegraph, telephone, cable television company, internet service
provider, or municipality rendering equivalent utility services to have
a 24/7 staffed telephone line for customers to report service outages.
This number must be attended 24/7, have the capacity to adequately
address a surge in phone call volume during an emergency situation or
extreme weather condition, and be posted clearly and conspicuously on
the homepage of the company's website, along with on the first page of
each consumer's billing statement. Failure to comply with the provisions
in this section shall subject any cable television or internet service
provider rendering equivalent utility services to the penalties author-
ized in section twenty-five of the public service law.
Section 4: Sets Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Any New Yorker will attest to the frustration of contacting a company
when an issue arises. This challenge is often unnecessarily burdensome,
particularly for older residents. Public utilities are established to
serve the public, so ratepayers must have an accessible means of commu-
nication with these companies, especially during emergencies. Denying
the public a platform to voice concerns is entirely unacceptable. This
legislation is clear and practical, representing sound public policy and
responsible business practice by ensuring customers can easily reach
their service provider to address any issues.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2019: N/A
2020: S8894, Referred to Rules
2021: S927A, Amend and Recommit to Energy and Telecommunications
2022: S927A, Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2023: S7490, Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2024: S7490, Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Assembly
2019: N/A
2020: A10999, Referred to Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions
2021: S3247A, Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
2022: S3247A, Referred to Ways and Means
2023: A47, Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
2024: A47, Referred to Ways and Means
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.