HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1073 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1768
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
David M. Nangle
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act further regulating cable television systems.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
David M. Nangle | 17th Middlesex | 1/18/2017 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1073 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1768
By Mr. Nangle of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1768) of David M. Nangle relative to payments for cable services. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3310 OF 2015-2016.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act further regulating cable television systems.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 5 of chapter 166A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-
(p) Neither it nor the operator shall require payment in advance from any subscriber but a cable subscriber may voluntarily offer and a licensee or operator may accept advance payments for service.
(q) It, and any operator, shall itemize all rates and charges to subscribers. Payment of bills are due no sooner than 15 days from mailing, which shall be a date certain and in no case a statement that the bill is due upon receipt. A subscriber account shall not be considered delinquent unless payment has not been received by the licensee or operator at least 30 days after the bill due date. The licensee or operator shall not impose a late charge on a subscriber unless a subscriber is delinquent, the licensee or operator has given the subscriber a written late charge notice in a clear and conspicuous manner and the subscriber has been given at least 8 business days from the date of delinquency to pay the balance due. No late charge may be assessed on the amount of a bill in dispute. A licensee or operator shall provide subscribers with a written statement of account for each billing period and a final bill at the time of disconnection.