Requires disclosure terms relating to prepaid calling cards to be provided in languages other than English and increases fines for violations of disclosure requirements
A11502 amends section 92-f of the New York Public Service Law to expand disclosure requirements for prepaid telephone calling cards and prepaid calling services. The bill requires that if a non-English language is used on a card, its packaging, point-of-sale advertising, or promotional materials, then all required disclosures must also be provided in that same language, in addition to English. It also requires that disclosures be clearly displayed on the card, packaging, or, for internet purchases, on the purchase website before the transaction is completed.
The bill also updates the list of information that prepaid calling card companies must print legibly on the card or packaging. In addition to existing requirements about fees, rates, minimum charges, failed-call charges, and recharge policies, the bill adds disclosure of expiration dates or other time limits on minutes, as well as any connection or disconnection fees or other surcharges not included in the standard per-minute rate. Finally, it increases civil penalties for knowing violations of the disclosure law from up to $1,000 to up to $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for a second or subsequent violation.
The bill would strengthen consumer-protection rules governing prepaid calling cards and prepaid calling services in New York by expanding multilingual disclosure obligations and increasing enforcement penalties. It would affect companies that market or sell prepaid calling cards, retail merchants displaying promotional materials, and online sellers offering these services through websites. The Public Service Commission would retain enforcement authority, but with higher penalty levels and broader disclosure standards to administer.
The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer transparency and language-access initiative, with an emphasis on clearer pricing disclosures and stronger penalties for noncompliance. No explicit support or opposition is documented in the supplied materials.
The main points of potential contention are the expanded compliance burden on prepaid calling card providers and retailers, especially the requirement to duplicate disclosures in any non-English language used in marketing or packaging and to display them clearly online before purchase. Another likely issue is the increased penalty structure, which raises the financial stakes for violations and may be viewed by industry as punitive. On the other hand, consumer advocates would likely support the bill’s focus on preventing hidden fees, misleading minute values, and language barriers for purchasers who rely on non-English materials.