ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 229

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 229.

      As amended and reported, this bill directs the Board of Public Utilities to require telecommunications companies and companies that offer Voice Over Internet Protocol and other Internet-based telephone services, on a prorated basis, to adjust a customer’s bill, or provide a credit to a customer, who has experienced a telephone service interruption for a period of more than 72 hours.  The bill also directs these companies to provide the bill adjustment or credit without requiring the customer to take any action.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to extend to 72 hours the telephone service interruption period for which a customer’s bill is to be adjusted or the customer is to be provided a credit and to provide a credit to a customer rather than a refund.