Pennsylvania HB 1730: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for service contracts for residential telecommunications, cable and Internet services.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2130
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1730
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GUZMAN, HADDOCK, WAXMAN, McNEILL, KHAN AND
D. WILLIAMS, JULY 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, JULY 14, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for service contracts for
residential telecommunications, cable and Internet services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 30A
SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR RESIDENTIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS,
CABLE AND INTERNET SERVICES
Sec.
30A01. Definitions.
30A02. Suspension and termination of contracts.
30A03. Request process, representative authority and proof of
admission.
30A04. Equipment obligations.
§ 30A01. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
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shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Cable television service." The transmission or provision of
video programming to subscribers, including customer premises
equipment, whether provided by a cable television company or
another entity authorized under Federal or State law.
"Internet access service." A service that enables a user to
access content, information, email or other services offered
over the Internet.
"Long-term care facility." Any of the following:
(1) A long-term care nursing facility as defined in
section 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48),
known as the Health Care Facilities Act.
(2) An assisted living residence as defined in section
1001 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as
the Human Services Code.
(3) A personal care home as defined in section 1001 of
the Human Services Code.
"Physician." An individual licensed to practice medicine or
osteopathic medicine in this Commonwealth or in another state.
"Service provider." A public utility or other entity that
provides telecommunications service, cable television service or
Internet access service to a service recipient in this
Commonwealth.
"Service recipient." An individual residing in this
Commonwealth who contracts with a service provider to receive
telecommunications service, cable television service or Internet
access service at a residential address located in this
Co mmonwealth.
"Telecommunications service." The offering of the
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transmission of messages or communications for a fee to the
public.
§ 30A02. Suspension and termination of contracts.
(a) Eligibility.-- A service recipient admitted to a long-
term care facility may request the suspension or termination of
a service contract under this chapter.
(b) Suspension of service.--A service provider shall suspend
billing and service obligations under a service contract for at
least 90 days upon receipt of a valid request under section
30A03 (relating to request process, representative authority and
proof of admission). The service provider may not impose a fee,
penalty or other charge in connection with the suspension.
(c) Termination of service.-- If a service recipient remains
admitted to a long-term care facility beyond the 90-day period
specified under subsection (b), the service provider shall
terminate the contract upon receipt of a valid request under
section 30A03. The service provider may not impose a fee,
penalty or other charge in connection with the termination.
§ 30A03. Request process, representative authority and proof of
admission.
(a) Standardized form.-- A service provider shall, upon
request, provide a standardized form to be completed by a
service recipient and a physician to initiate a request under
section 30A02 (relating to suspension and termination of
contracts).
(b) Legal representative.-- If a service recipient is unable
to complete or submit the standardized form under subsection
(a), a legal representative may do so on the service recipient's
behalf. The legal representative shall submit documentation of
authority, including a power of attorney or court order
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establishing guardianship or conservatorship, to the service
provider.
(c) Proof of admission.-- A service provider may require
written proof of admission to a long-term care facility for the
purpose of suspending or terminating a service contract under
this chapter. The proof of admission requirement under this
subsection shall be satisfied by submission of all of the
following:
(1) A written notice requesting suspension or
termination.
(2) A letter signed by a physician attesting to the
service recipient's admission to a long-term care facility.
§ 30A04. Equipment obligations.
Nothing in this ch