GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 164

Short Title:  Alternative Operator Services.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Redwine; and Bowman.
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Referred to:  Infrastructure.
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February 7, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REGULATE ALTERNATIVE OPERATOR SERVICES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 62 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 62-110.4. Alternate Operator Services.
(a)	The General Assembly finds that a growing number of companies provide, in a nonresidential setting, telecommunications services necessary to long distance service without disclosing the services provided or the rate, charge, or fee.  The General Assembly finds that provision of these services without disclosure to consumers is an unfair or deceptive trade practice, as defined in Chapter 75 of the General Statutes.
	(b)	If the Commission issues a certificate of convenience and necessity to any alternate operator services company, the Commission shall by rule require, at a minimum, that any telecommunications company, operating as or contracting with an alternative operator services company, assure appropriate disclosure to consumers of the provision and the rate, charge, or fee of services provided by an alternate operator services company.  For purposes of this section, ‘alternate operator services company' means a person providing a connection to intrastate or interstate long-distance services from places including hotels, motels, hospitals, and customer-owned pay telephones.  For purposes of this section the term ‘alternate operator services' shall not mean any local exchange telephone company with a certificate of convenience and necessity from the Commission."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.