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Senate Bill 983
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SB 983 authorizes the Public Utility Commission to establish a “judicial certification” program to ensure that survivors of domestic violence can access basic telephone service.Often, when a domestic violence survivor leaves an abusive situation, they confront tremendous financial challenges. In establishing a new life in a new home, difficulties are encountered in setting up phone service because there can be an outstanding amount owed on an account with a former partner or the survivor does not have a credit history and would be required to pay a deposit. This puts a financial hardship on the survivor, requiring resources that are not available and may prevent the survivor from establishing phone service.This creates a security risk for the survivor. It is important to have access to a phone to call police or other emergency service providers or to call support persons or services.The judicial certification program allows an individual to provide proof that being without phone service would significantly endanger the customer. Proof could include:• A court-issued restraining order; or• A court order declaring that an individual’s safety is at risk;Once a customer provides this proof, their telecommunication utility would be required to work with the individual to establish basic telephone service. The customer would not be required to pay a deposit for service.A customer qualifying for the judicial certification would not be excused from paying for the service and also would not be excused from paying any outstanding amounts from a former account. If the customer does not abide by the terms of the payment agreement, phone service can be terminated. This prevents significant cost-shifts onto other customers.The “judicial certification” created by SB 983 is modeled on an existing “medical certification” program that has been operating for many years. Because telecommunication utilities have had the medical certification program, they can use the same procedures to implement the judicial certification program. Telecommunication utilities are neutral on the bill.
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