Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §§1210-C and 1210-D are enacted to read:

§1210-C.__Expiration of free trial Internet service

An Internet service provider, as defined in Title 5, section 200-B, subsection 1-A, that supplies free trial Internet service shall notify the recipient prior to the expiration of the free service.__The Internet service provider shall inform the recipient of the cost to continue service and may not assess charges until the recipient has accepted the terms of the new agreement.

§1210-D. Internet service providers; cancellation of service

An Internet service provider shall prorate final charges for a cancelled account according to the number of days in the billing period that service was actually provided before cancellation.

SUMMARY

This bill requires Internet service providers to give recipients of free trial Internet services notice prior to cancellation of free service and requires that providers must not charge recipients to continue service unless the cost to continue service has been disclosed and the recipient has accepted the terms of the new agreement. The bill also provides that charges upon cancelling an Internet service provider account must be assessed on a prorated basis.