Sec. 315.

(1) The commission shall require each provider of basic local exchange service to provide a text telephone-telecommunications device for the deaf at cost to each individual who is certified as deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired by a licensed physician, licensed audiologist, or qualified state agency, and to each public safety answering point as defined in section 102 of the emergency 9-1-1 service enabling act, 1986 PA 32, MCL 484.1102.

(2) The commission shall require each provider of basic local exchange service to provide a telecommunication relay service whereby individuals using a text telephone-telecommunications device for the deaf can communicate with individuals using a voice telephone through the use of third party intervention or automated translation. Each provider of basic local exchange service shall determine whether to provide a telecommunication relay service on its own, jointly with other basic local exchange providers, or by contract with other telecommunication providers. The commission shall determine the technical standards and essential features of text telephone and telecommunication relay service to ensure their compatibility and reliability.

(3) Rates and charges for calls placed through a telecommunication relay service shall not exceed the rates and charges for calls placed directly from the same originating location to the same terminating location. Unless ordered by the commission, a provider of a telecommunications relay service is not required to handle calls from public telephones except for calls charged collect or to cash, a credit card, or a third party number.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a provider may offer discounts on toll calls where a text telephone-telecommunications device for the deaf is used. The commission shall not prohibit such discounts on toll calls placed through a telecommunication relay service.

(5) The commission shall establish a rate for each subscriber line of a provider to allow the provider to recover costs incurred under this section and may waive the costs assessed under this section to individuals who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired. The rate established by the commission under this subsection may be assessed as a line item on an end-user's bill.

History: 1991, Act 179, Eff. Jan. 1, 1992 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 235, Imd. Eff. Nov. 22, 2005 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 14, 2011 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016