S08894 Summary

• Requires all gas, electric, water, steam, telegraph, telephone, cable television, and internet service providers to establish and maintain a toll-free number for customers to report service outages.

• Toll-free number must be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have capacity to handle surge call volumes during emergencies or extreme weather.

• Utility companies must post the toll-free number clearly on their website homepage and on the first page of each customer's billing statement.

• Non-compliance subjects utility companies to penalties under Section 25 of the Public Service Law.

• Act takes effect 90 days after becoming law.