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An Act To Ensure the Integrity of Prepaid Calling Accounts
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §7308  is enacted to read:
§ 7308.  Prepaid calling service
 
1.  Definition.     For purposes of this section, "prepaid calling service" has the same meaning as in Title 36, section 2551, subsection 9.
 
2.  Value may not be reduced.     The value of a prepaid calling service may not be reduced after that service is purchased.
 
3.  Notice of rate increase for prepaid calling service purchased by telephone or on the Internet.     A provider of a prepaid calling service shall notify a consumer of the prepaid calling service of an increase in the rate charged for that service before that consumer purchases additional service from that provider by telephone or on the Internet. This notice may be in the form of a telephone recording.
 
4.  Notice of variance between in-state and interstate rates.     A provider of a prepaid calling service shall notify a consumer of the prepaid calling service if that provider charges different rates for in-state and interstate service. If that service is purchased in a store, this notice must be on the packaging of the prepaid calling service product. If that service is purchased by telephone, this notice must be in the form of a telephone recording. If that service is purchased on the Internet, this notice must be on the website on which that service is purchased.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that the value of a prepaid calling service may not be reduced after that service is purchased. This bill provides that a provider of a prepaid calling service shall notify a consumer of the prepaid calling service of an increase in the rate charged for that service before that consumer purchases additional service from that provider by telephone or on the Internet. This bill provides that a provider of a prepaid calling service shall notify a consumer of the prepaid calling service if that provider charges different rates for in-state and interstate service.