An Act To Clarify That the Telephone Number 9-1-1 Is the Only Number Advertised or Promoted for Emergency Response Services
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §2932, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 651, §3, is amended to read:
1. Designated emergency telephone number. The primary telephone number to be used in a telephone exchange to request emergency services following the activation of E-9-1-1 services for that exchange, including the number for telecommunications devices for communication for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired, is 9-1-1. A person may not advertise or promote for emergency response services any telephone number other than 9-1-1.
Sec. 2. 25 MRSA §2932, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 651, §3, is amended to read:
2. Publishing of 9-1-1. A publisher of a directory of Maine telephone numbers for use by telephone subscribers in Maine must include in a conspicuous portion of the directory:
A. For any area within the directory in which E-9-1-1 has not been activated, the emergency numbers of the State Police and any sheriffs' departments that serve the area; and
B. For any area within the directory in which E-9-1-1 has been activated, the The telephone number 9-1-1 as the primary telephone number to request emergency services. The number "9-1-1" must be accompanied by words indicating it is accessible by teletypewriter device, or TTY, such as "TTY/Voice." A publisher is not required to update a directory following an activation of E-9-1-1 within the directory area until the next regular printing of the directory.
Sec. 3. 25 MRSA §2932, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 651, §3, is amended to read:
5. Penalty. Violation A violation of subsection 1 or 3 is a civil offense for which a forfeiture of up to $500 may be adjudged. A forfeiture may not be imposed under this subsection unless the person alleged to have violated subsection 1 received notification from the bureau director that the person’s promotion or advertisement of a number other than 9-1-1 for emergency response services is, in the opinion of the bureau director, a violation of subsection 1 or the person alleged to have violated subsection 3 received notification from the bureau director that the person's commercial use of the number 9-1-1 is, in the opinion of the bureau director, a violation of subsection 3 and the . A person has been alleged to have violated either subsection 1 or 3 must be provided an opportunity to respond to that a notification of violation prior to the filing of an action pursuant to this subsection.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.