NY A02579

Limits the scope of call center customer assistance requirements to phone and written communications, removing electronic communications like emails, texts, and chats from the mandate

Allows gas and electric corporations to send customer assistance requests outside their New York service territory or state during emergencies, natural disasters, cyber attacks, power outages, or when call volume exceeds capacity

Permits outsourcing of customer assistance for workforce training purposes and for work flexibility policies allowing employees to work from alternative worksites (with union agreement required for represented workers)

Requires corporations to notify the commission within 10 business days when transferring customer assistance outside New York state under emergency exemptions, with such transfers being temporary only

Delays the effective date of the underlying 2024 call center law from immediate effect to 180 days after becoming law, and repeals a provision related to commission enforcement procedures