Requires that prepaid cellular telephone cards have the expiration date of the minutes purchased printed on the card in conspicuous print

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.