Montana § 69-3-1305 - Unauthorized Change In Telecommunications Carrier -- Liability -- Penalty For Violation

§ 69-3-1305. Unauthorized Change In Telecommunications Carrier -- Liability -- Penalty For Violation

Unauthorized change in telecommunications carrier -- liability -- penalty for violation. (1) A telecommunications carrier who initiates an unauthorized change in the customer's telecommunications carrier in violation of 69-3-1303 is liable: (a) to the customer for all intrastate long-distance charges, interstate long-distance charges, monthly service charges, carrier switching fees, and other relevant charges incurred by the customer during the period of the unauthorized change; and (b) to the customer's original telecommunications carrier for all charges related to reinstating service to the customer. (2) A telecommunications carrier or any other entity who purposely or knowingly initiates an unauthorized change of a customer's telecommunications carrier under 69-3-1303 or this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided in 46-18-212 . (3) (a) If, after a hearing held pursuant to the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, the commission finds that any entity has initiated an unauthorized change of a customer's telecommunications carrier, the commission may impose for each change made in violation of 69-3-1303 a civil fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation, which must be deposited in the general fund. (b) If, after a hearing held pursuant to the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, the commission finds that an entity has, with a frequency to indicate a general business practice, initiated unauthorized changes of customers' telecommunications carriers, the commission may take any of the following actions: (i) notify the secretary of state, who shall then suspend or revoke any license, registration, or other filing entitling that entity to transact business in this state; (ii) prohibit any billing aggregator from billing charges on behalf of the carrier or other entity determined to have engaged in a pattern of violations; (iii) prohibit a billing agent that bills directly for the carrier or other entity determined to have engaged in a pattern of violations from billing charges on behalf of that carrier or other entity; (iv) revoke the registration of a service provider or billing aggregator; or (v) limit the prohibitions under this subsection (3)(b) to a specific period of time. A prohibition under this subsection (3)(b) may be withdrawn upon a showing of good cause. (4) The commission shall provide adequate time for a billing agent that is prohibited from billing on behalf of a carrier or other entity under this section to terminate a contractual agreement with that carrier or other entity. (5) The remedies provided by this section are in addition to any other remedies, including injunctive relief, available by law.