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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, theThe 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.  ViolationA 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 beenalleged to have violated either subsection 1 or 3 must be provided an opportunity to respond to thata 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.