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.

2.__Publishing of 9-1-1.__Every publisher of a telephone number directory must include in a conspicuous portion of any directory that it publishes for use in an area of Maine 9-1-1 as the primary telephone number to request emergency services for the exchanges in which E-9-1-1 services have been activated.__A publisher may wait until the next regular printing of a directory following activation of an exchange to comply with this requirement.

3.__Prohibition against using 9-1-1 for commercial purposes.__ The number 9-1-1 may not be used for any other purpose, including but not limited to commercial advertising, other than as the primary emergency telephone number to request emergency services.

4.__Display of 9-1-1.__When displayed on emergency vehicles, signs and in other formats designed to advertise the number and its use to the public, 9-1-1 must be printed in plain block type numerals with a dash between each number and must be accompanied by the word "emergency."

Sec. 5. 35-A MRSA §7501-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 45, is amended to read:

§7501-A. Emergency numbers in directories

Every telephone company shall publisher of a telephone number directory must include in a conspicuous portion of any directory that it publishes after the effective date of this section the emergency numbers of the State Police and any sheriffs' departments that serve the directory area prior to the activation of E-9-1-1 services in the directory area. Subsequent to the activation of E-9-1-1 services for the entire directory area, the only published number for all emergency services must be 9-1-1 pursuant to Title 25, section 2932.

Sec. 6. Retroactivity. That section of this Act that repeals the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 2927, subsection 7-A applies retroactively to September 1, 1999.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.