SB0083 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 03601 MJR 13628 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB0083

Introduced 1/30/2009, by Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/13-714 new
815 ILCS 505/2Z	from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z

Amends the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 in the Public Utilities Act. Requires a wireless telecommunications carrier to comply with specified criteria with respect to consumer rights, protections, billing and billing dispute resolution procedures, and termination of service. Provides that a wireless telecommunications carrier that violates the Section violates the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning utilities.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 13-714 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/13-714 new)

Sec. 13-714. Wireless telecommunications services; consumer rights.

(a) A wireless telecommunications carrier must comply with all of the following:

(1) Fully disclose information to contract customers on their terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, fees, trial periods, taxes, and surcharges.

(2) Provide service coverage maps to customers.

(3) Agree to be monitored by the Commission for the quality of its service.

(4) Provide that service contracts not be longer than one year, and that any extensions be in writing and signed by subscribers.

(5) Give written notice of any change in rate, terms, privacy rights, or conditions of service at least 30 days before the changes become effective.

(b) A wireless telecommunications carrier must allow customers to receive itemized bills and establish procedures for customers to file complaints over billing disputes. A wireless telecommunications carrier shall not terminate a customer's service while a bill remains in dispute.

(c) A wireless telecommunications carrier must provide its customers with bills that are clearly outlined to distinguish provider charges from taxes, fees, and other charges the carrier collects for other entities such as governments.

(d) A wireless telecommunications carrier who violates this Section commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Section 10. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by changing Section 2Z as follows:

(815 ILCS 505/2Z) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z)

Sec. 2Z. Violations of other Acts. Any person who knowingly violates the Automotive Repair Act, the Automotive Collision Repair Act, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, the Dance Studio Act, the Physical Fitness Services Act, the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act, the Illinois Union Label Act, the Job Referral and Job Listing Services Consumer Protection Act, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act, the Credit Services Organizations Act, the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act, the Pay-Per-Call Services Consumer Protection Act, the Telephone Solicitations Act, the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Safe and Hygienic Bed Act, the Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act, the High Risk Home Loan Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Tax Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Electronic Mail Act, the Internet Caller Identification Act, paragraph (6) of subsection (k) of Section 6-305 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Section 18d-115, 18d-120, 18d-125, 18d-135, or 18d-150 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, the Automatic Contract Renewal Act, Section 13-714 of the Public Utilities Act, or the Personal Information Protection Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-13, eff. 12-6-05; 94-36, eff. 1-1-06; 94-280, eff. 1-1-06; 94-292, eff. 1-1-06; 94-822, eff. 1-1-07; 95-413, eff. 1-1-08; 95-562, eff. 7-1-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)