BILL NUMBER: SB 1601	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 24, 2002
	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.
   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   14-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.   The bill would hold the customer responsible to pay for
those services used prior to the cancellation of the agreement.

   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.  Every provider of cellular radiotelephone service shall
extend to new cellular service customers, a grace period of at least
 of 30   14  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.   The customer is responsible to pay for those
services used prior to the cancellation of the agreement. 
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.