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Friday, Aug. 7, 1998
Bill to ban phone `slamming' gets House panel approval
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - A House panel approved legislation aimed at stopping the practice of ``slamming,'' the unauthorized switching of a person's long-distance phone service.
The legislation, given voice approval by the Commerce Committee's telecommunications panel on Thursday, sets up verification procedures for switching long-distance carriers and requires a new carrier to notify the consumer in writing within 15 days of submitting a change in the local exchange carrier.
It requires the local carrier to prominently display on its next service bill a notice that the long-distance carrier has been changed.
The bill, which now goes to the full committee, combined legislation proposed by Reps. Billy Tauzin, R-La., and John Dingell, D-Mich.
Tauzin's press secretary, Ken Johnson, said he expected to win full House passage by mid- to late September so the bill could be sent to the president before Congress adjourns. A similar version has already passed the Senate.
``This is a pro-consumer bill, and with the election looming I don't see too many people voting against it,'' he said.
The legislation also states that if the consumer notifies the carrier within 30 days of receiving the service bill that the change was unauthorized, the carrier must switch the consumer back at no charge and must offer credit for charges incurred.
The bill would allow the Federal Communications Commission to impose fines of at least $40,000 the first time a company breaks the law and at least $150,000 for every subsequent offense.
The measure also addresses the growth of junk e-mail, known as ``spam.'' The bill would require senders of junk e-mail to identify themselves and list their addresses and to stop sending messages to those who ask to be taken off their list.Post your comments about local news eventsFront Page || Main Index || News || Business || Texas || South Texas Outdoors || Birdwatching || Sports || Entertainment || Selena || Education || South Texas Attractions || World Wide Web