SENATE BILL NO. 762


  October 21, 1997, Introduced by Senators ROGERS, BENNETT,
            GOUGEON, BULLARD, CISKY, GAST, GEAKE and SHUGARS and 
       referred to the Committee on Technology and Energy.
     


        A bill to amend 1991 PA 179, entitled

   "Michigan telecommunications act,"

   (MCL 484.2101 to 484.2604) by adding section 202a.

               THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 1         SEC. 202A.  (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO

 2    ENSURE THAT A CUSTOMER OF A TELECOMMUNICATION PROVIDER IS NOT

 3    SWITCHED TO ANOTHER PROVIDER WITHOUT THE CUSTOMER'S WRITTEN CON-

 4    FIRMATION OF THE CUSTOMER'S INTENT TO MAKE A SWITCH AND HAS

 5    APPROVED THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE SWITCH.

 6         (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE

 7    FORM AND CONTENT OF ALL DISCLOSURES, EXPLANATIONS, OR SALES

 8    INFORMATION DISSEMINATED BY A PERSON SELLING A COMPETITIVE TELE-

 9    COMMUNICATION SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT THE PERSON PROVIDES

10    ADEQUATE, ACCURATE, AND UNDERSTANDABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE




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 1    SERVICE WHICH ENABLES A CUSTOMER TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

 2    RELATING TO THE SOURCE AND TYPE OF SERVICE PURCHASED.

 3         (3) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE PROVIDERS TO CARRY OUT AN

 4    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CUSTOMERS TO DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

 5         (A) INFORM CUSTOMERS OF THE CHANGES IN THE PROVISION OF

 6    TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE

 7    AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE PROVIDERS OF TELECOMMUNICATION

 8    SERVICE.

 9         (B) INFORM CUSTOMERS OF THE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO DISCLO-

10    SURES, EXPLANATIONS, OR SALES INFORMATION FOR SELLERS OF COMPETI-

11    TIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES.

12         (C) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CUSTOMERS IN UNDERSTANDING AND

13    USING THE INFORMATION TO MAKE REASONABLY INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT

14    THEIR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE.





























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