SB-0690, As Passed House, June 2, 2016SB-0690, As Passed Senate, May 17, 2016

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 690

     A bill to amend 1991 PA 179, entitled

"Michigan telecommunications act,"

by amending subheading E of article 3 and section 315 (MCL

484.2315), as amended by 2011 PA 58.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

E. SERVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIREDDEAF, DEAFBLIND, HARD OF

HEARING, OR SPEECH-IMPAIRED

     Sec. 315. (1) The commission shall require each provider of

basic local exchange service to provide a text telephone-

telecommunications device for the deaf at cost to each individual

who is certified as deaf, or deafblind, hard of hearing, or speech-

impaired by a licensed physician, licensed audiologist, or

qualified state agency, and to each public safety answering point

as defined in section 102 of the emergency 9-1-1 service enabling

act, 1986 PA 32, MCL 484.1102.

     (2) The commission shall require each provider of basic local

exchange service to provide a telecommunication relay service

whereby persons individuals using a text telephone-

telecommunications device for the deaf can communicate with persons

individuals using a voice telephone through the use of third party

intervention or automated translation. Each provider of basic local

exchange service shall determine whether to provide a

telecommunication relay service on its own, jointly with other

basic local exchange providers, or by contract with other

telecommunication providers. The commission shall determine the

technical standards and essential features of text telephone and

telecommunication relay service to ensure their compatibility and

reliability.

     (3) Rates and charges for calls placed through a

telecommunication relay service shall not exceed the rates and

charges for calls placed directly from the same originating

location to the same terminating location. Unless ordered by the

commission, a provider of a telecommunications relay service shall

is not be required to handle calls from public telephones except

for calls charged collect or to cash, a credit card, or a third

party number.

     (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a

provider may offer discounts on toll calls where a text telephone-

telecommunications device for the deaf is used. The commission

shall not prohibit such discounts on toll calls placed through a

telecommunication relay service.

Senate Bill No. 690 as amended May 11, 2016

     (5) The commission shall establish a rate for each subscriber

line of a provider to allow the provider to recover costs incurred

under this section and may waive the costs assessed under this

section to individuals who are deaf, or severely hearing impaired

deafblind, hard of hearing, or speech impaired. speech-impaired.

The rate established by the commission under this subsection may be

assessed as a line item on an end-user's bill.

<<Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90

days after the date it is enacted into law.>>