CHAPTER 67
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 184
AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 26, OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH SPEECH AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 1, Title 26, of the Delaware Code by adding a new Section 220 to read as follows:
Section 220. Telephone Service for Hearing and Speech Impaired Persons.
(a) The Commission shall, after hearing, by order in writing, establish rules and regulations to require a public utility providing local exchange telephone service to provide a statewide dual party relay service that will allow hearing and speech impaired persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf to communicate by telephone through attendants or equipment at a service answering facility with persons having normal hearing and speech.
(b) The public utility required to provide dual party relay service may enter into contractual arrangements with one or more other persons or entities requiring such other persons or entities to perform all or any part of the service.
(c) Costs incurred by the public utility in connection with the provision of dual party relay service shall not exceed those reasonably necessary to provide adequate service to the persons subscribing to the service. The Commission shall determine the manner in which the public utility providing this service may recover any costs associated with the implementation and operation of a Dual Party Relay System.
(d) Service enhancements or ancillary services or supporting features which are not necessary for the delivery of basic dual relay service communications features do not fall within the scope of this section.
Approved July 6, 1989.