Medical Facilities -- Shelter Care (Rule 306)

Where local exchange or long-distance services are provided to a customer known by the telephone company to be or identifying itself as a medical care facility, including a hospital, medical clinic with resident patients, nursing home, intermediate care facility or shelter care facility, notice of pending termination will be provided to the Commission as well as to the customer. Upon request from the Commission, a delay in termination of no less than seven (7) calendar days from the date of notice will be allowed so that action may be taken to protect the interests of the facility’s residents. (3-31-22) 307. INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE (RULE 307). 01. Termination Prohibited. Telephone companies will not terminate service or provide notice of intent to terminate service if the unpaid bill cited as grounds for termination is: (3-31-22) a. Less than thirty ($30) dollars; (3-31-22) b. For telephone service provided to any other customer or former customer (unless that customer has a legal obligation to pay the other bill) or for a class of service (business or residential) other than the one to which the customer currently subscribes; (3-31-22) c. For MTS or other goods and services provided by the telephone company or for which the telephone company bills; (3-31-22) d. For service provided four (4) or more years ago unless the customer made a payment on the bill within the past four (4) years, or the customer signed a written payment agreement and then failed to pay; (3-31-22) e. The subject of an informal or formal complaint filed with the Commission; or (3-31-22) f. Is at issue in a case pending before a court in the state of Idaho unless termination is authorized by court order. (3-31-22) 308. RESTRICTIONS ON TERMINATION OF LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE -- OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID TERMINATION OF LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE (RULE 308). 01. When Termination Not Allowed. Unless the customer affected has consented in writing, local exchange service will not be terminated on any Friday after twelve noon or on any Saturday, Sunday, legal holidays recognized by the state of Idaho, or after twelve noon on any day immediately before any legal holiday, or at any time when the telephone company’s business offices are not open for business, except as authorized by Rules 302.01 and 302.02, or for non-residential customers, as authorized by any Subsection of Rule 302. Local exchange services may be terminated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., except as authorized by Rules 302.01 and 302.02. (3-31-22) 02. Personnel to Authorize Reconnection. Each telephone company providing local exchange service will have personnel available after the time of termination who are authorized to reconnect service if the conditions IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 31.41.01 Public Utilities Commission Telephone Customer Relations Rules Section 309 Page 14 cited as grounds for termination are corrected to the telephone company’s satisfaction. Customers may be asked to pay reconnection fees before restoration of service. (3-31-22) 03. Service to Persons Not Customers. If local exchange service is provided to a residence and the account is in the name of one who does not reside there, the telephone company, prior to termination, will notify the person(s) receiving service and afford the person(s) a reasonable opportunity to negotiate directly with the telephone company to purchase service in the resident’s(s’) own name(s). (3-31-22) 04. No Termination While Complaint Pending. Except as authorized by order of the Commission or of the Judiciary, local exchange service will not be terminated for failure to pay amounts in dispute while a complaint over that telephone service filed pursuant to Rule 401 is pending before this Commission or while a case placing at issue payment for that telephone service is pending before a court in the state of Idaho. (3-31-22)