The bill does the following.

1. It keeps the special statewide E-9-1-1 surcharge in place by retroactively repealing a provision that repealed the subsections of statute requiring the surcharge to be collected and remitted to the E-9-1-1 fund.

2. It allows a public safety agency to listen to an audio recording of an E-9-1-1 telephone call for the purpose of investigating allegations of misconduct against the agency or its employees.

3. It designates the numerals "9-1-1" as the primary telephone number to request emergency services following the activation of the E-9-1-1 services for a telephone exchange. The primary number for telecommunications devices for communication for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech impaired is "9-1-1."

4. It prohibits the use of the numerals "9-1-1" for purposes, including commercial advertising, other than to request emergency services. It also requires 9-1-1 to be in block lettering when used to advertise the number and its use to the public.

5. It requires telephone companies to publish 9-1-1 as the primary emergency telephone number for those exchanges in which E-9-1-1 services have been activated.

This bill is an emergency because E-9-1-1 services will be activated in various regions across the State over an estimated 18-month period beginning in early 2000. The statutory changes are needed prior to the system coming on line.