NY State Assembly Bill 2009-A3639

Assembly Bill A3639

Signed By Governor

2009-2010 Legislative Session

Requires utility corporations, energy service companies, municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television companies to provide large print versions of billing information

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Aug 26, 2009	signed chap.359
Aug 14, 2009	delivered to governor
Jul 16, 2009	returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.887 substituted for s4192b
Jun 04, 2009	referred to energy and telecommunications delivered to senate passed assembly
Jun 03, 2009	ordered to third reading rules cal.48 rules report cal.48 reported
Jun 02, 2009	reported referred to rules
May 28, 2009	print number 3639c
May 28, 2009	amend and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
May 13, 2009	print number 3639b
May 13, 2009	amend (t) and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
Apr 16, 2009	print number 3639a
Apr 16, 2009	amend (t) and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
Jan 27, 2009	referred to corporations, authorities and commissions

Votes

- Jul 16, 2009 - Floor Vote
  A3639
  
  54
  
  Aye
  
  3
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  5
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jul 16, 2009
      
      aye (54)
      
      Adams
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Alesi
      
      Aubertine
      
      Bonacic
      
      Breslin
      
      DeFrancisco
      
      Dilan
      
      Duane
      
      Espada
      
      Flanagan
      
      Fuschillo
      
      Golden
      
      Griffo
      
      Hannon
      
      Hassell-Thompson
      
      Huntley
      
      Johnson
      
      Klein
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Larkin
      
      Leibell
      
      Libous
      
      Little
      
      Marcellino
      
      Maziarz
      
      McDonald
      
      Monserrate
      
      Montgomery
      
      Morahan
      
      Nozzolio
      
      Onorato
      
      Oppenheimer
      
      Padavan
      
      Parker
      
      Perkins
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Robach
      
      Saland
      
      Sampson
      
      Savino
      
      Schneiderman
      
      Serrano
      
      Skelos
      
      Smith
      
      Stachowski
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Thompson
      
      Valesky
      
      Winner
      
      Young
      
      nay (3)
      
      Farley
      
      Seward
      
      Volker
      
      excused (5)
      
      Diaz
      
      Foley
      
      Johnson
      
      Kruger
      
      Squadron

Bill Amendments

Original

C (Active)

2009-A3639 - Details

2009-A3639 - Summary

Requires utility corporations, energy service companies, municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television companies to provide large print versions of billing statements upon request by the consumer; provides that large print means a printed or electronic font size of sixteen to illuminate billing information.

2009-A3639 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3639

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

AN  ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring utili-
  ty, telephone and cable companies to provide large-print  versions  of
  billing statements and notices upon request by the consumer

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 44 of the public service law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
  5. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER  AND  AT
LEAST  ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY
SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH  A  LARGE  PRINT  NOTICE  THAT  BILLING
STATEMENTS AND NOTICES ARE AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST  BY  A  CUSTOMER,  A  UTILITY  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY SHALL
PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S BILLING STATEMENTS AND NOTICES IN THE LARGE PRINT
FORMAT COMMENCING NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE
REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE UTILITY CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  IF  A
RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMER  RECEIVES RESIDENTIAL GAS OR ELECTRIC SERVICE FROM
TWO OR MORE UTILITIES, THE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER NEED NOT BE NOTIFIED  BY
EACH  SUCH UTILITY; THE UTILITY DISTRIBUTING THE CUSTOMER'S ENERGY SHALL
PROVIDE A SINGLE ANNUAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THE  PROVISIONS
OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION SHALL APPLY TO BOTH WRITTEN AND ELECTRONIC BILLING
STATEMENTS AND NOTICES. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION  "LARGE  PRINT"
MEANS  A PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC FONT SIZE OF EIGHTEEN TO ILLUMINATE BILL-
ING INFORMATION.
  S 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-g to
read as follows:
  S 92-G. TELEPHONE BILLS; INFORMATIONAL NOTICES. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS
INITIATED TO A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER AND AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER,
EVERY TELEPHONE CORPORATION SHALL PROVIDE ITS  CUSTOMERS  WITH  A  LARGE
PRINT  NOTICE  THAT  BILLING  STATEMENTS  AND NOTICES ARE AVAILABLE IN A

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05998-01-9

A. 3639                             2

LARGE PRINT FORMAT.  UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY  A  CUSTOMER,  A  TELEPHONE
CORPORATION  SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S BILLING STATEMENTS AND NOTICES
IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH
THE  REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION. THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO BOTH WRITTEN AND ELECTRONIC  STATEMENTS  AND
NOTICES. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "LARGE PRINT" MEANS A PRINTED
OR ELECTRONIC FONT SIZE OF EIGHTEEN TO ILLUMINATE BILLING INFORMATION.
  S 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-h to
read as follows:
  S  92-H.  CABLE  BILLS;  INFORMATIONAL NOTICES. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS
INITIATED TO A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER AND AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER,
EVERY CORPORATION PROVIDING CABLE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE  ITS  CUSTOMERS
WITH A LARGE PRINT NOTICE THAT BILLING STATEMENTS AND NOTICES ARE AVAIL-
ABLE  IN  A  LARGE  PRINT  FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, A
CORPORATION PROVIDING CABLE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S  BILL-
ING  STATEMENTS  AND  NOTICES  IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY
DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS  RECEIVED  BY  THE  CORPO-
RATION.  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO BOTH WRITTEN AND
ELECTRONIC STATEMENTS AND NOTICES. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,  "LARGE
PRINT" MEANS A PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC FONT SIZE OF EIGHTEEN TO ILLUMINATE
BILLING INFORMATION.
  S  4.  This  act  shall take effect January 1, 2010; provided, however
that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act  on  its
effective  date  are authorized and directed to be made and completed on
or before such effective date.

2009-A3639A - Details

2009-A3639A - Summary

2009-A3639A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3639--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. HEVESI, TITUS -- read once and referred to the
  Committee on Corporations, Authorities and  Commissions  --  committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN  ACT to amend the public service law and the general business law, in
  relation to requiring utility, telephone providers and cable companies
  to provide large-print versions of billing statements upon request  by
  the consumer

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 44 of the public service law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
  5. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER  AND  AT
LEAST  ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY
SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH  A  LARGE  PRINT  NOTICE  THAT  BILLING
STATEMENTS  ARE AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY
A CUSTOMER, A UTILITY CORPORATION  OR  MUNICIPALITY  SHALL  PROVIDE  THE
CUSTOMER'S  BILLING  STATEMENTS  IN THE LARGE PRINT FORMAT COMMENCING NO
LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS  RECEIVED
BY  THE  UTILITY  CORPORATION OR MUNICIPALITY. IF A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
RECEIVES RESIDENTIAL GAS OR ELECTRIC SERVICE FROM TWO OR MORE UTILITIES,
THE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER NEED NOT BE NOTIFIED BY EACH SUCH UTILITY;  THE
UTILITY DISTRIBUTING THE CUSTOMER'S ENERGY SHALL PROVIDE A SINGLE ANNUAL
NOTICE  TO  RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS.  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION
SHALL APPLY TO BOTH  WRITTEN  AND  ELECTRONIC  BILLING  STATEMENTS.  FOR
PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION "LARGE PRINT" MEANS A PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC
FONT  SIZE  OF  SIXTEEN  TO ILLUMINATE ONLY INFORMATION THAT PERTAINS TO
FEES, TAXES, SURCHARGES AND ANY OTHER CHARGES BILLED TO THE CUSTOMER.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section  399-
zz to read as follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05998-03-9

A. 3639--A                          2

  S 399-ZZ. TELEPHONE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESI-
DENTIAL  CUSTOMER  AND  AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY TELEPHONE
PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH  A  LARGE  PRINT  NOTICE  THAT
BILLING  STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN A LARGE PRINT FORMAT.  UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, A TELEPHONE PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S
BILLING  STATEMENTS IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER
THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE  TELEPHONE  PROVIDER.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO BOTH WRITTEN AND ELECTRON-
IC  STATEMENTS.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "LARGE PRINT" MEANS A
PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC FONT SIZE OF SIXTEEN TO ILLUMINATE  ONLY  INFORMA-
TION  THAT  PERTAINS  TO  FEES,  TAXES, SURCHARGES AND ANY OTHER CHARGES
BILLED TO THE CUSTOMER.
  S 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new  section  224-b
to read as follows:
  S  224-B.  CABLE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESIDEN-
TIAL CUSTOMER AND AT LEAST ONCE A  YEAR  THEREAFTER,  EVERY  CORPORATION
PROVIDING  CABLE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A LARGE PRINT
NOTICE THAT BILLING STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN A  LARGE  PRINT  FORMAT.
UPON  WRITTEN  REQUEST  BY  A  CUSTOMER,  A  CORPORATION PROVIDING CABLE
SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S BILLING STATEMENTS IN LARGE  PRINT
FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS
RECEIVED  BY THE CORPORATION. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY
TO BOTH WRITTEN AND ELECTRONIC STATEMENTS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,
"LARGE PRINT" MEANS A PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC  FONT  SIZE  OF  SIXTEEN  TO
ILLUMINATE ONLY INFORMATION THAT PERTAINS TO FEES, TAXES, SURCHARGES AND
ANY OTHER CHARGES BILLED TO THE CUSTOMER.
  S  4.  This  act  shall take effect January 1, 2010; provided, however
that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act  on  its
effective  date  are authorized and directed to be made and completed on
or before such effective date.

2009-A3639B - Details

2009-A3639B - Summary

2009-A3639B - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3639--B

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. HEVESI, TITUS -- read once and referred to the
  Committee on Corporations, Authorities and  Commissions  --  committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to  said  committee  -- again reported from said committee with amend-
  ments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public service law and the general business law,  in
  relation  to requiring utility corporations, energy service companies,
  municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television  companies
  to  provide large-print versions of billing statements upon request by
  the consumer

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 44 of the public service law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
  5.  AT  LEAST ONCE A YEAR, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION,  ENERGY SERVICES
COMPANY OR MUNICIPALITY SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A  NOTICE  THAT
BILLING  STATEMENTS  ARE  AVAILABLE  IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, A UTILITY CORPORATION, ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY OR
MUNICIPALITY SHALL PROVIDE THE  CUSTOMER'S  BILLING  STATEMENTS  IN  THE
LARGE  PRINT  FORMAT  COMMENCING NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE
UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE  UTILITY  CORPORATION,  ENERGY
SERVICES  COMPANY  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION
SHALL APPLY ONLY  TO  PRINTED  STATEMENTS.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION,  "LARGE  PRINT"  SHALL  MEAN  A PRINTED FONT SIZE OF SIXTEEN OR
GREATER TO ILLUMINATE BILLING INFORMATION.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION, "ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY" OR "ESCO" SHALL MEAN AN ENTITY ELIGI-
BLE  TO SELL ENERGY SERVICES TO END-USE CUSTOMERS USING THE TRANSMISSION
OR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF A UTILITY CORPORATION.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section  399-
zz to read as follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05998-05-9

A. 3639--B                          2

  S 399-ZZ. TELEPHONE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESI-
DENTIAL  CUSTOMER  AND  AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY TELEPHONE
CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION TWO  OF  THE
PUBLIC  SERVICE  LAW,  AND EVERY CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION  ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW
THAT PROVIDES TELEPHONE SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK  SHALL  PROVIDE
ITS  CUSTOMERS  WITH A NOTICE THAT BILLING STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN A
LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, EVERY  TELEPHONE
CORPORATION  AND  CABLE  TELEVISION COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S
BILLING STATEMENTS IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS  AFTER
THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION
AND CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY
TO  BOTH  WRITTEN  AND  ELECTRONIC  STATEMENTS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, "LARGE PRINT" MEANS  A  PRINTED  OR  ELECTRONIC  FONT  SIZE  OF
SIXTEEN OR LARGER TO ILLUMINATE BILLING INFORMATION.
  S  3.  The public service law is amended by adding a new section 224-b
to read as follows:
  S 224-B. CABLE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO  A  RESIDEN-
TIAL  CUSTOMER  AND  AT  LEAST  ONCE  A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY TELEPHONE
CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF  THIS
CHAPTER,  AND  EVERY CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO
HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE THAT PROVIDES CABLE SERVICE TO  CUSTOMERS
IN  NEW  YORK  SHALL  PROVIDE  ITS  CUSTOMERS WITH A NOTICE THAT BILLING
STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN A LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON  WRITTEN  REQUEST
BY  A CUSTOMER, EVERY TELEPHONE CORPORATION AND CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY
SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S BILLING STATEMENTS IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO
LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS  RECEIVED
BY   THE   TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  AND  CABLE  TELEVISION  COMPANY.  THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO BOTH  WRITTEN  AND  ELECTRONIC
STATEMENTS.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS SECTION, "LARGE PRINT" MEANS A
PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC FONT SIZE OF SIXTEEN OR LARGER TO ILLUMINATE BILL-
ING INFORMATION.
  S 4. This act shall take effect April 1, 2010; provided, however  that
effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive  date  are  authorized  and directed to be made and completed on or
before such effective date.

2009-A3639C (ACTIVE) - Details

2009-A3639C (ACTIVE) - Summary

2009-A3639C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3639--C

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. HEVESI, TITUS -- read once and referred to the
  Committee on Corporations, Authorities and  Commissions  --  committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to  said  committee  -- again reported from said committee with amend-
  ments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  committee
  --  again  reported  from  said  committee  with  amendments,  ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public service law and the general business law,  in
  relation  to requiring utility corporations, energy service companies,
  municipalities, telephone corporations and cable television  companies
  to  provide large-print versions of billing statements upon request by
  the consumer

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 44 of the public service law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
  5.  AT  LEAST ONCE A YEAR, EVERY UTILITY CORPORATION,  ENERGY SERVICES
COMPANY OR MUNICIPALITY SHALL PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A  NOTICE  THAT
BILLING  STATEMENTS  ARE  AVAILABLE  IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, A UTILITY CORPORATION, ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY OR
MUNICIPALITY SHALL PROVIDE THE  CUSTOMER'S  BILLING  STATEMENTS  IN  THE
LARGE  PRINT  FORMAT  COMMENCING NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE
UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE  UTILITY  CORPORATION,  ENERGY
SERVICES  COMPANY  OR  MUNICIPALITY.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION
SHALL APPLY ONLY  TO  PRINTED  STATEMENTS.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION,  "LARGE  PRINT"  SHALL  MEAN  A PRINTED FONT SIZE OF SIXTEEN OR
GREATER TO ILLUMINATE BILLING INFORMATION.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION, "ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY" OR "ESCO" SHALL MEAN AN ENTITY ELIGI-
BLE  TO SELL ENERGY SERVICES TO END-USE CUSTOMERS USING THE TRANSMISSION
OR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF A UTILITY CORPORATION.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05998-09-9

A. 3639--C                          2

  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section  399-
zz to read as follows:
  S 399-ZZ. TELEPHONE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESI-
DENTIAL  CUSTOMER  AND  AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THEREAFTER, EVERY TELEPHONE
CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION TWO  OF  THE
PUBLIC  SERVICE  LAW,  AND EVERY CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE  LAW
THAT  PROVIDES  TELEPHONE SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS IN NEW YORK SHALL PROVIDE
ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A NOTICE THAT BILLING STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE  IN  A
LARGE  PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER, EVERY TELEPHONE
CORPORATION AND CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY SHALL  PROVIDE  THE  CUSTOMER'S
BILLING  STATEMENTS IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER
THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE TELEPHONE CORPORATION
AND CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY
ONLY TO PRINTED STATEMENTS. FOR THE PURPOSES  OF  THIS  SECTION,  "LARGE
PRINT"  MEANS  A  FONT  SIZE  OF SIXTEEN OR LARGER TO ILLUMINATE BILLING
INFORMATION.
  S 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new  section  224-b
to read as follows:
  S  224-B.  CABLE BILLS. AT THE TIME SERVICE IS INITIATED TO A RESIDEN-
TIAL CUSTOMER AND AT LEAST  ONCE  A  YEAR  THEREAFTER,  EVERY  TELEPHONE
CORPORATION,  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS
CHAPTER, AND EVERY CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN  SECTION  TWO
HUNDRED  TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE THAT PROVIDES CABLE SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS
IN NEW YORK SHALL PROVIDE ITS  CUSTOMERS  WITH  A  NOTICE  THAT  BILLING
STATEMENTS  ARE  AVAILABLE IN A LARGE PRINT FORMAT. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
BY A CUSTOMER, EVERY TELEPHONE CORPORATION AND CABLE TELEVISION  COMPANY
SHALL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER'S BILLING STATEMENTS IN LARGE PRINT FORMAT NO
LATER  THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED
BY  THE  TELEPHONE  CORPORATION  AND  CABLE  TELEVISION   COMPANY.   THE
PROVISIONS  OF  THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY ONLY TO PRINTED STATEMENTS. FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "LARGE PRINT" MEANS A FONT SIZE OF SIXTEEN
OR LARGER TO ILLUMINATE BILLING INFORMATION.
  S 4. This act shall take effect April 1, 2010; provided, however  that
this  act  shall  not  apply  to any utility corporation, energy service
company, municipality, telephone corporation or cable television company
that services less than fifty thousand  customers  in  the  state  until
November  1,  2010;  provided,  further  that effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule  or  regulation  necessary
for  the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

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