N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16 § 890.63

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 43, October 23, 2024

Section 890.63 - Bill format, late charges, collection charges, reconnect charges and downgrade charges

(a) Each subscriber bill shall be clear, concise and understandable and shall:

(1)

(i) include the name, address and telephone number of the cable television company; and

(ii) the toll free subscriber assistance telephone number of the commission identified as "Unresolved Inquiries, NYS Public Service Commission" or otherwise as may be approved by the commission upon specific request by a cable company;

(2) itemize each category of service including, but not limited to, basic service, cable programming services, per channel premium services, and pay-per-view programming, and each piece of equipment for which a charge is imposed;

(3) state the billing period and clearly delineate all activity during the billing period, including but not limited to, the amount of current billing and appropriate credits or rebates, optional charges, late charges and past due balances, if any.

(b) Each subscriber bill shall specify a minimum time for payment which shall not be less than 15 days from mailing of the bill.

(c) Any late charge permitted by law or by the franchise, if imposed upon the subscriber, shall be itemized on the subscriber's bill, or notice of delinquent payment in cases where coupon books are used.

(d) If a late charge is to be imposed, it shall not be imposed sooner than 45 days after the mailing of the bill to the subscriber or the due date, if coupons are used.

(e) No cable television company shall impose a collection charge upon any subscriber, except as prescribed in section 890.66(e) of this Part.

(f) No cable television company shall impose a charge for the reconnection of service, the amount of which is based solely upon consideration of whether the subscriber was previously in arrears for an amount due said company.

(g) A cable television company may impose a downgrade charge upon the conditions and in the circumstances as follows:

(1) subscribers have been notified of such charge in writing in at least 10 point type;

(2) the charge does not exceed the amount permitted under applicable State or Federal law or regulation; and

(3) the downgrade was not requested by a subscriber affected by a significant programming change or a network change which included a retiering of service or a rate change within 30 days of the receipt by the subscriber of:

(i) a notice required by section 890.80(b)(4) and (c)(4) of this Part; or

(ii) a notice of retiering or rate change as required by section 890.80(a) of this Part.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 16 § 890.63