SECTION 1. Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing the in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 1H the following new section:-

SECTION 1I. Every distribution company, gas company, and municipal lighting plant shall, using services located within the commonwealth and in their service area, provide call center service assistance for the following services:

(1) Determining customer financial responsibility;

(2) Taking requests for new or additional services, including, but not limited to, emergency service;

(3) Determining deposit required, billing rate, or any other billing related matter;

(4) Preparing meter and service orders and obtaining access to meters;

(5) Explaining company rates, regulations, policies, procedures, equipment, and common practices;

(6) Investigating trouble order forms and initiating high bill investigations;

(7) Handling payment and other credit arrangements such as obtaining deposits, financial statements, and payment plans;

(8) Referring customers to social service agencies and other assistance programs;

SECTION 2. Chapter 159 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 17 the following new section:-

SECTION 17A. Every telecommunications company, and municipal lighting plant providing telecommunications service shall, using services located within the commonwealth and their in service area, provide call center service assistance for the following services:

(1) Determining customer financial responsibility;

(2) Taking requests for new or additional services, including, but not limited to, emergency service;

(3) Determining deposit required, billing rate, or any other billing related matter;

(4) Preparing meter and service orders and obtaining access to meters;

(5) Explaining company rates, regulations, policies, procedures, equipment, and common practices;

(6) Investigating trouble order forms and initiating high bill investigations;

(7) Handling payment and other credit arrangements such as obtaining deposits, financial statements, and payment plans;

(8) Referring customers to social service agencies and other assistance programs.