IL SB0462

Amends the Public Utilities Act to expand who can certify hearing or speech disabilities for telecommunications device eligibility, replacing "licensed physician" and "audiologist" with "hearing care professional" as defined in the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act.

Modifies the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act to allow persons applying for initial licenses as hearing instrument dispensers to complete either the existing 12 semester hours of specific academic coursework or an equivalent program as determined by the Department.

Establishes that telecommunications relay system assessments on wireless carriers and prepaid wireless service consumers shall not be imposed or collected prior to June 1, 2016.

Requires the Illinois Public Utilities Commission to initiate yearly proceedings beginning April 1, 2016 to establish competitively neutral assessment amounts charged to telecommunications carriers, wireless carriers, Interconnected VoIP service providers, and prepaid wireless telecommunications service consumers.

Directs sellers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service to remit assessments to the Department of Revenue and permits sellers to retain 3% of collected assessments, with deposits going to the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund.