<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="06" heading="Pay Phone Service" title_num="20" subtitle_num="45">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Except as provided under §B of this regulation, this chapter applies to a person operating a pay phone.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The provisions of Regulations .03—.07 of this chapter do not apply to a person operating a pay phone in a State, local, or federal correctional facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Registration.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Registration. Prior to providing pay phone service, a person shall complete and file a pay phone service provider registration form provided by the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Annual Registration Report.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A pay phone service provider shall file an annual registration report with the Commission by April 1 of each year.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The annual registration report shall be on a form provided by the Commission and include the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Name of the pay phone service provider;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Location address of each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Telephone number of each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Local exchange carrier for each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Proprietary Information. A pay phone service provider may request that documents filed under §§A and B of this regulation be designated as proprietary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Annual Assessment. A pay phone service provider shall pay the annual assessment required by Public Utilities Article, §2-110, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Pay Phone Service Requirements.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Local Calls.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>After an initial 10 minutes of pay phone use for a local call, a pay phone service provider may impose an additional per-minute charge for the use of the pay phone.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The pay phone service provider shall post the initial charge and any additional per-minute charges as required under Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>If an additional per-minute charge is associated with a pay phone, the pay phone service provider shall ensure that the pay phone has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A verbal warning to a user that the initial paid call period is ending; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Instructions on how to continue the call.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Incoming Calls. Except as provided in §C of this regulation, all pay phones shall receive incoming calls without charge.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Blocking Incoming Calls. If approved by the Commission, a pay phone service provider may block incoming calls to a pay phone.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Posting and Informational Requirements.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Posting Required. A pay phone service provider shall prominently and conspicuously post on or near each pay phone notification of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The proper dialing sequence to complete a call;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The local coin rate or a procedure to obtain free rate information for an exclusively card-operated or coinless pay phone;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>The name and address of the pay phone service provider and the operator service provider;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>The pay phone service provider's and the operator service provider's toll free number or an equivalent free local or speed-dial number for maintenance and refunds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>A toll free number for the current long distance carrier;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>A statement that the Commission has authority over the pay phone service provider, the long distance carrier, and the operator service provider;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>The Commission's toll free number; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>If approved by the Commission under Regulation .03C of this chapter, a statement that incoming calls are blocked.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Directory Assistance Charges. A pay phone service provider shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Post a notice or verbally inform a pay phone user of a charge for directory assistance; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Post notification of the procedure to obtain free rate information for calls to directory assistance.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Attestation to Local Exchange Company.">
    <text>A pay phone service provider shall provide to a local exchange company providing dial tone to the pay phone service provider's pay phone a one-time written attestation that the pay phone service provider has or will obtain the appropriate certification, permit, or authorization from the responsible government entity, property owner, or lessee for placement of a pay phone in Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Directory Assistance Charges and Charge-Free Calls.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Directory Assistance. A pay phone service provider may charge a user for a directory assistance call.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Charge-Free Calling. A pay phone service provider shall permit a user of its pay phone to reach any of the following without payment:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A toll free number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The Universal Emergency Number 911 Services by dialing "9-1-1";</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>The telecommunications relay service; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>A local operator by dialing “Zero-Minus” (0-).</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Equipment Requirements.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Telephone Directories. A pay phone service provider shall provide both white page and yellow page telephone directories on an annual basis for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>All indoor pay phone locations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Outdoor pay phone locations when requested by the site owner.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Height and Hearing Requirements. A pay phone service provider shall comply with Maryland and federal height and hearing aid compatibility regulations when installing a pay phone.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Access to Interexchange Carriers. A pay phone service provider shall ensure that its pay phone:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Permits access to all interexchange carriers; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Allows completion of local and long distance calls in Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Coin Capability.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Except as provided under §D(2) of this regulation, a pay phone service provider shall ensure that its pay phone is capable of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Accepting nickels, dimes, and quarters; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Handling sent-paid long distance other than sent-paid person-to-person calls, unless the pay phone is connected to a network-controlled coin line.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A coinless pay phone that is exclusively card operated is not required to accept coin payment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Coin Return. A pay phone service provider shall ensure that a coin-operated pay phone returns a deposited coin if a called telephone number is busy or not answered.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Amplified Handset. A pay phone service provider shall install:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>An amplified handset on a pay phone that replaces a phone with an amplified handset; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>One pay phone with an amplified handset for every four pay phones in a single phone bank.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Penalties.">
    <text>Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter may result in the imposition of a civil penalty or other sanctions under Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, including the disconnection of the pay phone service and the revocation of a pay phone service provider's registration.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Public Utilities Article, §§2-113, 2-121, 4-201—4-203,and 4-301, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: January 1, 1976 (Order No. 61496)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.03, Coin Service, repealed and new Regulations .01—.08, Pay Phone Service, adopted effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 403)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>