What's happening
This bill requires prepaid calling card disclosures in non-English languages used on cards or advertising, adds disclosure requirements, and increases penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Expands consumer protections for non-English speakers. by requiring that all important information about prepaid calling cards (such as fees, rates, and expiration policies) must be disclosed in any language used on the card or in its advertising, not just in English. This helps ensure immigrants and those with limited English proficiency are not misled.
Adds new required disclosures. so customers must be clearly informed of expiration dates, connection/disconnection fees, and any special surcharges not included in the per-minute rate, making it easier for consumers to compare products and avoid hidden costs.
Includes internet sales. in the disclosure requirements, meaning companies selling prepaid calling cards online must also display all required information prominently and in relevant languages before a purchase is made.
Significantly raises penalties for violations,. increasing the maximum fine from $1,000 to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. This creates a stronger incentive for companies to comply and deters deceptive practices, potentially leading to fairer treatment for consumers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Prepaid Card Disclosures in Languages
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
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.
Prepaid Card Disclosures in Languages
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor José M. Serrano
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3092
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring disclosure terms relating to prepaid calling cards to be provided in languages other than English and increasing fines for violations of disclosure requirements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 92-f of the public service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. a. If a language or languages other than English is used on a prepaid telephone calling card, its packaging, or in point of sale advertising, or promotional material relating to a prepaid calling card or prepaid telephone calling service, all disclosure required pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be provided in the same language or languages, in addition to English. All non-English disclosure provisions shall be clearly printed in a clear and conspicuous location on the calling card itself, or if the calling card is packaged in opaque packing, on the packaging.
b. As used in this subdivision, "promotional material" includes all materials prepared by the company that provides prepaid calling services through prepaid calling cards and any signs for display by retail merchants or any other promotional material that is prepared at the direction of the prepaid calling service.
c. If the calling card is purchased on the Internet, the disclosure requirements shall be displayed in a clear and conspicuous location on the website through which the calling card is purchased, including instructions and directions to any link with such disclosures, prior to purchasing the services.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 92-f of the public service law, as added by chapter 651 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03566-01-9
A. 3092 2
3. Any company that provides prepaid calling services through prepaid calling cards shall print legibly on each card or packaging the following information:
a. any surcharges or fees, including monthly fees, per-call access fees, or surcharges for the first minute of use that may be applicable to the use of the prepaid calling card or prepaid calling services within the United States;
b. any additional or different prices, rates, or unit values applicable to international usage of the prepaid calling card or prepaid calling services;
c. any minimum charge per call, such as a three minute minimum charge;
d. any charge for calls that do not connect; [and,]
e. any recharge policy[.];
f. if applicable, the expiration date or other limitation on the period of time for which the displayed, promoted, or advertised minutes will be available to the customer; and
g. any connection or disconnection fee or any surcharge associated with the calling card that is not part of the standard rate associated with each minute used by the card.
§ 3. Subdivision 8 of section 92-f of the public service law, as added by chapter 651 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
8. Enforcement. The commission shall have the power, consistent with federal law, to assess a penalty not to exceed [one] five thousand dollars against any company that provides prepaid calling cards or services that knowingly fails or neglects to comply with any provision of this section or any regulation or order of the commission implementing or enforcing the provisions of this section for a first violation and ten thousand dollars for a second or subsequent violation. All moneys recovered from any administrative penalty shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general fund.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.