Sec. 314a.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a telecommunication provider shall not discontinue basic local exchange telecommunication service to the residence of a qualifying customer who has made a filing under this section. A customer making a filing under this section shall retain the telephone number assigned to the customer on the date of the filing.

(2) A qualifying customer may apply for shut-off protection for telecommunication service under this section by notifying the provider that the qualifying customer is in need of assistance caused by a reduction in household income through a call to active duty status in the military.

(3) A provider of service may request verification of the call to active duty status from the qualifying customer. A provider of service may also request verification of the qualified customer's reduction in household income.

(4) A provider of service may require restrictions or elimination of calling features or toll service as a condition of granting a qualifying customer's request for shut-off protection under this section.

(5) A qualifying customer may receive shut-off protection from the provider of service under this section for up to 90 days. Upon application to the provider, the provider may grant the qualifying customer 1 or more extensions.

(6) A qualifying customer receiving assistance under this section shall notify the provider of the end of the call to active duty status as soon as that status is known.

(7) Unless waived by the provider, the shut-off protection provided under this section does not void or limit the obligation of the qualifying customer to pay for telecommunication services received during the time of assistance.

(8) Within 48 hours of receiving all information requested of the qualifying customer, a provider shall do all of the following:

(a) Create a repayment plan requiring minimum monthly payments that allows the qualifying customer to pay any past due amounts over a reasonable time period not to exceed 1 year.

(b) Provide a qualifying customer with information regarding any governmental, provider, or other assistance programs.

(9) This section does not affect or amend any commission rules or orders pertaining to billing standards. If the terms and conditions arranged by the provider with the qualifying customer under subsection (8) are not followed by the customer, then the provider shall follow procedures as set forth in the commission's billing standards for basic residential telecommunication service.

(10) As used in this section, "qualifying customer" means all of the following:

(a) A residential household where the income is reduced because the customer of record, or the spouse of the customer of record, is called to active military service by the president of the United States or the governor of this state during a time of declared national or state emergency or war.

(b) Assistance is needed by the residential household to maintain telecommunication service.

(c) The residential household notifies the provider of the need for assistance and provides verification of the call to active duty status.

History: Add. 2003, Act 206, Imd. Eff. Nov. 26, 2003 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 235, Imd. Eff. Nov. 22, 2005