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.

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
 1   Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, providing for service contracts for
 3      residential telecommunications, cable and Internet services.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.    Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 7   Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
 8                                CHAPTER 30A
 9          SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR RESIDENTIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS,
10                        CABLE AND INTERNET SERVICES
11   Sec.
12   30A01.   Definitions.
13   30A02.   Suspension and termination of contracts.
14   30A03.   Request process, representative authority and proof of
15               admission.
16   30A04.   Equipment obligations.
17   § 30A01.   Definitions.
18      The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
 1   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
 2   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 3      "Cable television service."     The transmission or provision of
 4   video programming to subscribers, including customer premises
 5   equipment, whether provided by a cable television company or
 6   another entity authorized under Federal or State law.
 7      "Internet access service."    A service that enables a user to
 8   access content, information, email or other services offered
 9   over the Internet.
10      "Long-term care facility."    Any of the following:
11          (1)   A long-term care nursing facility as defined in
12      section 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48),
13      known as the Health Care Facilities Act.
14          (2)   An assisted living residence as defined in section
15      1001 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as
16      the Human Services Code.
17          (3)   A personal care home as defined in section 1001 of
18      the Human Services Code.
19      "Physician."   An individual licensed to practice medicine or
20   osteopathic medicine in this Commonwealth or in another state.
21      "Service provider."    A public utility or other entity that
22   provides telecommunications service, cable television service or
23   Internet access service to a service recipient in this
24   Commonwealth.
25      "Service recipient."   An individual residing in this
26   Commonwealth who contracts with a service provider to receive
27   telecommunications service, cable television service or Internet
28   access service at a residential address located in this
29   Commonwealth.
30      "Telecommunications service."        The offering of the

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 1   transmission of messages or communications for a fee to the
 2   public.
 3   § 30A02.    Suspension and termination of contracts.
 4      (a)     Eligibility.--A service recipient admitted to a long-
 5   term care facility may request the suspension or termination of
 6   a service contract under this chapter.
 7      (b)     Suspension of service.--A service provider shall suspend
 8   billing and service obligations under a service contract for at
 9   least 90 days upon receipt of a valid request under section
10   30A03 (relating to request process, representative authority and
11   proof of admission). The service provider may not impose a fee,
12   penalty or other charge in connection with the suspension.
13      (c)     Termination of service.--If a service recipient remains
14   admitted to a long-term care facility beyond the 90-day period
15   specified under subsection (b), the service provider shall
16   terminate the contract upon receipt of a valid request under
17   section 30A03. The service provider may not impose a fee,
18   penalty or other charge in connection with the termination.
19   § 30A03.    Request process, representative authority and proof of
20                 admission.
21      (a)     Standardized form.--A service provider shall, upon
22   request, provide a standardized form to be completed by a
23   service recipient and a physician to initiate a request under
24   section 30A02 (relating to suspension and termination of
25   contracts).
26      (b)     Legal representative.--If a service recipient is unable
27   to complete or submit the standardized form under subsection
28   (a), a legal representative may do so on the service recipient's
29   behalf. The legal representative shall submit documentation of
30   authority, including a power of attorney or court order

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 1   establishing guardianship or conservatorship, to the service
 2   provider.
 3      (c)     Proof of admission.--A service provider may require
 4   written proof of admission to a long-term care facility for the
 5   purpose of suspending or terminating a service contract under
 6   this chapter. The proof of admission requirement under this
 7   subsection shall be satisfied by submission of all of the
 8   following:
 9            (1)   A written notice requesting suspension or
10      termination.
11            (2)   A letter signed by a physician attesting to the
12      service recipient's admission to a long-term care facility.
13   § 30A04.    Equipment obligations.
14      Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to relieve a
15   service recipient of the obligation to return leased or rented
16   equipment to a service provider or pay any lawful charge for
17   unreturned equipment or any balance due for purchased equipment.
18      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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