What's happening
This bill requires prepaid cellular telephone cards to clearly display the expiration date of purchased minutes in large, bold print.
Why it matters
Improves consumer transparency. By requiring the expiration date of prepaid cellular minutes to be displayed in much larger, bold print, customers are less likely to overlook this critical information, helping them avoid losing paid-for minutes due to unclear or hidden expiration policies.
Reduces risk of unintentional loss. Many prepaid card users, including vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with limited English proficiency, may not notice fine print. This amendment makes it harder for providers to obscure when minutes will expire, reducing accidental forfeiture of purchased services.
Promotes fairer business practices. Placing expiration information prominently could discourage companies from using confusing or deceptive labeling, encouraging fairer competition and potentially pressuring companies to reconsider short or arbitrary expiration periods.
Facilitates better consumer budgeting. Clear, conspicuous expiration dates allow users to better plan their usage and purchases, making it easier to avoid unexpected interruptions in service and manage telecommunications expenses more effectively.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Show Expiration on Phone Cards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Recommitted to rules
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Substitution reconsidered
- Substituted by A2892A
- Ordered to third reading cal.2032
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Print number 2356a
- Amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Show Prepaid Phone Minute Expiration
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Erik Dilan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2356--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to the expiration of minutes purchased with prepaid cellular telephone cards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs e and f of subdivision 2 of section 92-f of the public service law, as added by chapter 651 of the laws of 1999, are amended and a new paragraph g is added to read as follows:
e. any expiration date or expiration policy; [and]
f. instructions for use of the card[.]; and
g. in the case of a company that offers prepaid cellular telephone services by means of a prepaid calling card, such prepaid calling card shall have printed on its face, in conspicuous print of a font at least two times larger that any other print printed on such card, and in bold face print that is at least ten-point sized, the expiration date for the cellular minutes purchased with the card.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04778-03-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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 or general idea of bill
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.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
Specific large print requirements.
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 popu- larity of no contract prepaid cellular service is increasing and consum- ers have a right to know the terms of use without having to search through a myriad of 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.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016: S2561/A7667-Referred to Energy & Telecommunications 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 for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.