An Act to Require Broadband Internet Access Service Providers to Prorate Customer Bills (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1932
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: FAY, GROHOSKI, BAGSHAW, BOYER, BOYLE, CARLOW, CLOUTIER, WORTH, BENNETT, DUSON
Amends: 35-A MRSA §9302

Legislative Document
No. 1932
H.P. 1240
House of Representatives, May 15, 2023
An Act to Require Broadband Internet Access Service Providers to 
Prorate Customer Bills
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FAY of Raymond.
Cosponsored by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock and
Representatives: BAGSHAW of Windham, BOYER of Poland, BOYLE of Gorham, 
CARLOW of Buxton, CLOUTIER of Lewiston, WORTH of Ellsworth, Senators: BENNETT 
of Oxford, DUSON of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA c. 94, headnote is amended to read:
CHAPTER 94
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE CUSTOMER PRIVACY AND 
RIGHTS
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §9302 is enacted to read:
§9302.  Customer rights relating to broadband Internet access service
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Broadband Internet access service" has the same meaning as in section 9301, 
subsection 1, paragraph A.
B. "Customer" has the same meaning as in section 9301, subsection 1, paragraph B.
C. "Provider" has the same meaning as in section 9301, subsection 1, paragraph D.
2.  Service cancellation.  A provider in the State shall provide a customer with a pro 
rata credit or rebate for the days of the monthly billing period after the cancellation of 
broadband Internet access service if that customer requests cancellation of service 3 or 
more working days before the end of the monthly billing period.
3.  Interruption of service.  If broadband Internet access service to a customer is 
interrupted for 6 or more consecutive hours in a 30-day period, the provider shall, upon 
request, grant that customer a pro rata credit or rebate.
4.  Notice to customers.  A provider shall include on each customer bill for broadband 
Internet access service a notice regarding the customer's right to a pro rata credit or rebate 
for interruption of service upon request in accordance with subsection 3 or cancellation of 
service in accordance with subsection 2. The notice must include a toll-free telephone 
number and a telephone number accessible by a teletypewriter device, or TTY, for 
contacting the provider to request the pro rata credit or rebate. The notice must be in 
nontechnical language, understandable by the general public and printed in a prominent 
location on the bill in boldface type.
SUMMARY
This bill requires a provider of broadband Internet access service to provide a pro rata 
credit or rebate for:
1. The days of the monthly billing period after the cancellation of service if the 
customer requests cancellation of service 3 or more working days before the end of the 
monthly billing period; and
2. Upon customer request, interruptions of service to a customer for 6 or more 
consecutive hours in a 30-day period.
The bill requires the provider to include on each customer bill for service a notice of 
the customer's right to a pro rata credit or rebate under these circumstances.