Relating to requiring notices prior to certain activities involving Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service.
Impact
Upon enactment, this bill will amend the Business & Commerce Code by adding Chapter 329, which explicitly requires VoIP providers to inform customers about testing their emergency systems post-installation and to notify relevant monitoring services of the new VoIP service. Moreover, providers must inform customers about the crucial need for a 24-hour emergency power source, ensuring that emergency response systems can effectively signal during power outages. This measure is particularly significant given the increasing reliance on VoIP services and the associated risks during emergencies.
Summary
SB2492 aims to enhance consumer protection in the context of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services by mandating specific notifications to customers regarding the functionality of emergency response systems. The bill stipulates that VoIP service providers must furnish written notice to customers prior to the installation or activation of service. This notice should inform customers about the necessary steps to ensure their emergency response systems and personal emergency response systems are fully operational, especially in situations such as power outages.
Contention
While the bill seems beneficial for consumer safety, there are contentions regarding the enforceability of the notification requirements. Under the provisions of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, failure to provide the mandated notifications would result in deceptive acts, allowing for legal remedies. Nonetheless, stakeholders may debate the practicality and potential burdens this law might impose on service providers, particularly smaller entities that may struggle with compliance costs and logistics associated with the new notification processes.
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of the health and human services laws governing the Health and Human Services Commission, Medicaid, and other social services.
Relating to disclosure under the public information law of information related to a competitive matter involving the provision of cable, Internet, or broadband services by a public power utility.
Relating to information maintained by certain municipally owned utilities that provide electricity services and cable, Internet, or broadband services.
Relating to information about available free or low-cost cellular telephones and free or low-cost cellular telephone service plans provided to residents of certain nursing and assisted living facilities.
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the functions of the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region; increasing an administrative penalty.