Texas House Bill HB3169

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to wireless telephone consumer protections.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to significantly affect the landscape of wireless contracts and consumer rights in Texas. By mandating that service providers inform consumers of their rights in writing at the point of sale, it aims to enhance transparency and empower consumers to make informed decisions. Moreover, the law specifically excludes certain types of damage caused by consumer actions from its protections, thereby clarifying and limiting the scope of liability for service providers.

Summary

House Bill 3169 introduces new consumer protections for buyers of wireless telephones in Texas, establishing a framework that allows consumers certain rights when experiencing issues with their devices. Dubbed the 'Cell Phone Lemon Law', this legislation provides consumers with options such as canceling their contracts without incurring penalties if their wireless phone requires repairs multiple times within the contract duration. Additionally, consumers have the right to upgrade or downgrade their devices, which must not result in any changes to their existing service contracts solely based on their choice to upgrade or downgrade.

Contention

While the bill aims to bolster consumer protections, there may be discussions and potential contention surrounding the definition of 'harmful actions' by consumers and how these might impact their rights under the law. Additionally, the exclusion of certain service quality issues from the bill could spark debate among consumer advocates regarding the adequacy of protections provided. As telecom companies adapt to comply with these new regulations, they may express concerns about the implications for their operational models and consumer relationships.