BILL NUMBER: SB 1601	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2002

   An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 2899) to Chapter
10 of Part 2 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to
telecommunications.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1601, as amended, Bowen.  Cellular telecommunications service.
   Existing law empowers the Public Utilities Commission to regulate
telecommunications services and rates of telephone corporations and
to require telephone corporations to provide customer services.

   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to establish
policies, in subsequent legislation, encouraging higher quality
telecommunications service.  
   Under existing law, the Federal Communications Commission licenses
providers of cellular radiotelephone service.
   This bill would require that providers of cellular radiotelephone
service extend a minimum 30-day grace period to new customers during
which the customer may rescind the agreement, if the customer finds
that the cellular service quality is unsatisfactory, and to provide
notice to customers of this right. 
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Article 6 (commencing with Section 2899) is added to
Chapter 10 of Part 2 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, to
read:

      Article 6.  Cellular Telecommunications Service

   2899.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in subsequent
legislation, to establish policies encouraging higher quality
cellular telecommunications service.  
   2899.  Every provider of cellular radiotelephone service shall
extend to new cellular service customers, a grace period of at least
of 30 days, for customers to rescind the agreement and terminate
service without cost or penalty, if the customer finds that the
cellular service quality is unsatisfactory.  Every new cellular
radiotelephone service agreement shall provide reasonable notice of
this grace period and the right of the customer to rescind the
agreement if the customer finds that the cellular service quality is
unsatisfactory.