BILL NUMBER:S2561

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:

2013-2014: S.2771 - Referred to Energy & Telecommunications
2011-2012: 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.