1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to telecommunications; consumer protection; prohibiting wireless 
1.3 	carriers from assessing early termination fees in certain instances;proposing 
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [325E.319] ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND ASSESSMENTS; EARLY 
1.7 	TERMINATION.
1.8 	(a) If a wireless telecommunications carrier adds or increases an administrative fee 
1.9 	or assessment at any time during a customer's contract period, the carrier must notify the 
1.10 	affected customer 30 days prior to implementation. The notification must include the 
1.11 	amount of the new or increased administrative fee or assessment, as well as a statement 
1.12 	outlining the customer's rights under paragraph (b).
1.13 	(b) If a customer receives a notice under paragraph (a), the customer may elect to 
1.14 	terminate the contract for wireless telecommunications service. The election must occur 
1.15 	within 60 days of the notification deadline. If the customer elects to terminate a contract 
1.16 	under this paragraph, the wireless telecommunications carrier is prohibited from assessing 
1.17 	an early termination fee.
1.18 	(c) For the purposes of this section, "administrative fee or assessment" means any 
1.19 	charge on a customer's bill that is not: (i) a charge for service or services to which the 
1.20 	customer is subscribed; (ii) a credit or an adjustment to a prior bill; or (iii) a federal, state, 
1.21 	or local tax, regulatory fee, or surcharge.

1.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from April 30, 2013, 
1.23 	and applies to new or increased administrative fees or assessments effective on or after 
1.24 	that date. A customer impacted by a new or increased administrative fee between the 
2.1 	effective date of this section and the date of enactment may exercise the option under 
2.2 	paragraph (b) for 60 days after the date of enactment.