BILL NUMBER:S2771

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
the expiration of minutes purchased with prepaid cellular telephone
cards

PURPOSE:  To conspicuously disclose expiration dates on prepaid
cellular calling cards.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Adds section 92-g to the public service law to require disclosure of
the expiration date of the cellular minutes on a prepaid cellular
calling card.

EXISTING LAW:  Under the New York State Public Service law section
92-f prepaid calling cards must disclose;

a. name of the company;

b. toll-free customer service number;

c. toll-free network access number, if such number is required to
access service;

d. authorization code, if such code is required to access service;
              

e. any expiration date or expiration policy; and

f. instructions for use of the card.

Additionally, all fees Pertaining to card use, and return and return
policies must be disclosed.

JUSTIFICATION:  Although current law requires disclosure of the
expiration date, such information is often in very small print located
on the back of a card henceforth ascertaining the expiration date is
often difficult.  The popularity of no contract prepaid cellular
service is increasing and consumers have a right to know the terms of
use without having to search through myriad disclosures and small
fonts. Consumers often use the expiration date as the critical factor
in selecting a prepaid card and as such it should be prominently
displayed.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2011-12: S.1085 - Referred to Energy &
Telecommunications 2009-2010: S.7271 - Referred to Energy &
Telecommunications

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after
it shall have become a law.