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STATES
KANSAS -- Plan would bring broadband to schools, libraries, hospitals MASSACHUSETTS -- DTE fines Sprint for 'slamming' CONN. -- Sen. Harp aims to prevent prisons from profiting from collect calls MISSISSIPPI -- Senate measure takes aim at Web seductions of minors OREGON -- Bill would form Internet commission to oversee E-commerce MARYLAND -- Lawmakers want task force to monitor, promote competition INDIANA -- Bill would require libraries to restrict minors' access to Web porn CONNECTICUT -- Bill would prohibit fee for unlisted phone numbers OREGON -- Bill would bar drivers' use of handheld, hands-free wireless phones IOWA -- Mechanicsville to receive '563' area code CUSTOMER-AFFECTING MASSACHUSETTS DTE fines Sprint for 'slamming' The Department of Telecommunications and Energy has ordered Sprint Corp. to pay a $1,000 penalty for switching a customer's interexchange service from AT&T Corp. to Sprint without obtaining the customer's authorization. The DTE said state law requires it to impose of a civil penalty if it finds a carrier guilty of "slamming" more than once in the same 12-month period. Sprint slammed another customer in June, the department said, making this the second offense. The department said Sprint offered in its defense "conclusory statements that this was not a Sprint slam." The DTE concluded, however, that "the absence of any individual from Sprint to authorize or to authenticate or to submit to cross-examination on these documents renders them self-serving and unpersuasive." (DTE 00-22-12) NETWORK MANAGEMENT CONNECTICUT Sen. Harp aims to prevent prisons from profiting from collect calls Sen. Toni N. Harp (D., District 10) has introduced SB 418 to ensure that the state's Department of Corrections doesn't profit from prisoners' collect calls to their families. The bill would require the department to use the proceeds it receives from a provider of inmates' collect calls to fund "occupational training" for the inmates. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Its text is available at http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2001/tob/s/2001SB-00418-R00-SB.htm. INTERNET MISSISSIPPI Senate measure takes aim at Web seductions of minors Sen. Terry C. Burton (D., District 31) has introduced a bill to prohibit using the Internet to distribute "indecent materials" with the intent of seducing a minor. SB 2146 would amend section 97-5-27 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to address the issue of "computer luring." The proposed amendment would define computer luring as using a computer both to send sexually oriented material to a minor and to induce the minor to engage in sexual acts. Computer luring would be a felony punishable by a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to $10,000. In any computer luring lawsuit, SB 2146 would allow a defendant to argue that he or she "made a reasonable effort" to determine the minor's age and couldn't do so because of actions on the part of the minor. Another valid defense under SB 2146 would be that the defendant made a reasonable effort to prevent minors from obtaining objectionable content. According to SB 2146, a person couldn't be convicted "solely for providing access or connection to or from a facility, system, or network not under that person's control." Employers couldn't be held liable for the actions of an employee under the proposed amendment unless those actions related to the employee's work, or the employer authorized or "recklessly" ignored the activities. SB 2146 has been referred to the Senate Juvenile Justice Committee. INTERNET OREGON Bill would form Internet commission to oversee E-commerce Rep. Jim Hill (R., District 5) has introduced HB 2470 to establish a 15-member Oregon Internet Commission to oversee the development of electronic commerce in Oregon and any strategies implemented by the state. The commission would include two members from the Senate, two members from the House, and 11 gubernatorial appointees. The gubernatorial appointees would have to possess experience with electronic and Internet commerce issues. The bill would direct the commission to submit recommendations to the Department of Administrative Services or other state agencies for improving citizens' access to information resources and technology. HB 2470 states that Oregon "must oppose additional unnecessary or unwarranted regulations that would impede increased access to the Internet, market competition, consumer choice, security of personal information, or the conducting of electronic commerce actions." HB 2470 awaits committee referral. COMPETITIVE LOCAL ENTRY MARYLAND Lawmakers want task force to monitor, promote competition Del. Joan F. Stern, (D., District 39) has introduced HB 137 to establish a task force to "encourage and monitor competition" among telecom providers. Legislators, representatives of the executive branch, the Public Service Commission, and industry would sit on the 17-member task force. The task force would be charged with studying the state of competition and recommending measures "for removing barriers to increased competition among" telecom providers. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Environmental Matters. INTERNET INDIANA Bill would require libraries to restrict minors' access to Web porn A bill has been introduced in the House to require libraries to adopt and enforce an Internet online policy restricting minors' access to Web sites that contain obscene material. HB 2113 has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Technology. The measure would restrict the amount of state funds designated for libraries failing to adopt and enforce the policy. CUSTOMER-AFFECTING CONNECTICUT Bill would prohibit fee for unlisted phone numbers Rep. Ted Graziani (D., District 57) has introduced HB 6169 to prohibit providers from charging fees for unlisted or unpublished telephone numbers. According to the legislative staff, the measure is intended to reduce barriers to obtaining unlisted number for consumers, especially "those individuals who have heightened privacy interests, such as victims of abuse, or those who are divorced or separated from their spouses." HB 6169 has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology. Its text is available at http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2001/tob/h/2001HB-06169-R00-HB.htm. WIRELESS OREGON Bill would bar drivers' use of handheld, hands-free wireless phones Oregon lawmakers will be considering a bill during the 2001 legislative session that would increase the penalties drivers could face after committing a traffic offense while talking on a mobile telephone. SB 190 would define a mobile telephone as "a handheld or hands-free device designed to receive and transmit voice communication." Under the bill, the base fine for any traffic offense while using a mobile phone would be 80% of the maximum fine set for the offense. This is the same penalty structure used for drivers that commit a traffic offense in a highway work zone. SB 190, which was sponsored by Sen. Avel Gordly (D., District 10), awaits consideration by the Senate General Government and Transportation Committee. NETWORK MANAGEMENT IOWA Mechanicsville to receive '563' area code The Utilities Board has denied a request by the Bridge Community Bank in Mechanicsville for reconsideration of the board's decision to move the Mechanicsville exchange under the new "563" area code. In October 2000 the board adopted a "split" to relieve NXX code exhaustion in the "319" area code. (10/30/00 a.m.) The new 563 area code will serve the area being split from 319. In December 2000 the board moved the Mechanicsville exchange from 319 to 563 because of technical network requirements and to keep the North Cedar Community School District in a single area code. In rejecting the bank's request, the board said the bank hadn't identified any "unique or unusual burden" imposed on Mechanicsville exchange customers as a result of the assignment. (Docket no. SPU-99-30 - In Re: Area Code 319 Relief Plan) Federal law prohibits duplication in any form, including electronic, without permission of the publisher. TR State NewsWire Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000 Telecommunications Reports International, Inc. (ISSN 1082-9350) is transmitted each business day at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., except holidays. Telecommunications Reports International, Inc. 1333 H St. NW, Suite 100-E Washington, DC 20005-4707 Editor: George E. Brandon, E-mail: gbrandon@tr.com Associate Editor for Online Publications: Jennifer Erschen, E-mail: jerschen@tr.com Senior Legislative & Regulatory Analyst: Gayle Kansagor, E-mail: gkansagor@tr.com Senior Research Analyst: Steve Arlowe, E-mail: sarlowe@tr.com Senior Analyst: Barney McManigal, E-mail: bmcmanigal@tr.com Research Analyst: Brandi Kerns, E-mail: bkerns@tr.com Account Services: Eileen Callahan (202) 312-6116, (202) 842-3023 (fax) E-mail: ecallahan@tr.com
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