NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A2334

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2334

Introduced
1/9/24  
Refer
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipient's admission to long-term care facility.

Impact

If enacted, A2334 will have a considerable impact on the way contracts for telecommunications services are managed in New Jersey. Service providers will be required to accommodate contract adjustments related to health care needs, enhancing protections for some of the state's most vulnerable populations. This legislation aligns state law with the broader goal of supporting seniors, ensuring that they are not penalized financially during significant life transitions due to health concerns. Service providers must reassess their operational protocols to comply with the new rules and provide necessary documentation upon request from service recipients.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2334 aims to provide critical consumer protections for individuals admitted to long-term care facilities by requiring telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers in New Jersey to allow service recipients to pause or cancel their contracts. This provision aims to prevent unnecessary financial burdens on seniors and their families during transitional periods when individuals move into long-term care settings. The bill mandates that no early termination fees will be imposed if the service is paused or canceled as a result of the admission to a long-term care facility, which is particularly significant for those needing immediate relocation due to health issues.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding A2334 is largely supportive among lawmakers and advocates for seniors, reflecting a growing recognition of the rights of individuals in long-term care. Proponents argue that it is a necessary step to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable populations. However, there may be some concerns from telecommunications and cable companies about potential revenue losses and operational complexities associated with implementing these policy changes. Overall, the bill has garnered positive feedback from those advocating for consumer rights, particularly for the elderly and their families.

Contention

Notably, the bill's implementation may encounter challenges, specifically regarding the balance between consumer protections and the operational realities faced by service providers. While many lawmakers support A2334, there could be pushback from providers concerned about the logistics of adjusting contracts for numerous clients without facing significant financial risks or administrative burdens. Moreover, there is the question of how effectively service providers will communicate these options to their clients and whether they will sufficiently fulfill requirements like providing standard forms for contract adjustments.

Companion Bills

NJ S684

Same As Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility.

NJ A1884

Carry Over Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral to long-term care facility.

NJ S3413

Carry Over Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral and relocation to long-term care facility.

Previously Filed As

NJ S684

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility.

NJ A1884

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral to long-term care facility.

NJ S3413

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral and relocation to long-term care facility.

NJ A194

Requires cable television companies to provide cable television service and broadband Internet speed to all committed service areas before cable television companies allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic.

NJ A3068

Requires cable television companies to provide cable television service and broadband Internet speed to all committed service areas before cable television companies allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic.

NJ A2086

Requires certain telecommunications, cable television, and public utility service providers to notify BPU of service discontinuance to public entities 14 business days prior to shutoff.

NJ A1433

Requires certain telecommunications, cable television, and public utility service providers to notify BPU of service discontinuance to public entities 14 business days prior to shutoff.

NJ S3749

Allows individual entering assisted living or long-term care facility to terminate trash collection contract.

NJ A3892

Requires online option for cancellation of automatic renewal of health club services subscriptions entered into online; provides additional options for cancelling health club services contracts under certain circumstances.

NJ A1782

Provides consumer protections under certain telecommunications service provider contracts.

Similar Bills

NJ A1884

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral to long-term care facility.

NJ A3442

Requires Division of Purchase and Property to provide additional notification of contracting opportunities to vendors or potential vendors providing or interested in providing home health care services to State agencies.

NJ S3413

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow service recipients to terminate service contracts following physician's referral and relocation to long-term care facility.

NJ S684

Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility.

NJ A812

Requires OIT to establish Statewide wireless network through public-private partnership agreement.

NJ A2029

Requires Internet service providers to keep confidential and prohibit any disclosure, sale, or unauthorized access to subscriber's personally identifiable information unless subscriber authorizes Internet service provider in writing to disclose information.

NJ A1768

Requires telecommunications companies to provide prorated refunds for service outages of longer than 72 hours.

NJ S311

Establishes Statewide behavioral health crisis system of care.