Code Section

2889.  

(a) An information provider engaged in furnishing any live, recorded, or recorded-interactive audio text through information access telephone service shall provide a (1) delayed timing of information charges and (2) price disclosure message.

(b) The telephone corporation shall provide information providers, described in subdivision (a), with a period of a minimum of 12 seconds for a delayed timing of information charges and price disclosure message. If the delayed timing period is exceeded, a consumer shall be billed from the time of the initial connection, and transport charges shall be billed to the information provider from the time of the initial connection. If the consumer disconnects the call within the delayed timing period, no information charge shall be billed to the caller.

(c) (1) During the delayed timing period, the information provider shall inform the consumer of all of the following:

(A) The name of the programs.

(B) The information charge for the call.

(C) The date the information was recorded, if the information is a recorded message.

(D) That if the caller disconnects the call within the delayed timing period, the consumer will not be charged for the call.

(2) This information shall be provided at the beginning of every call and at least three seconds shall be allowed at the end of the message within the delayed timing period for the consumer to hang up without being charged if he or she has not already disconnected the call. The information provider shall provide a tone to indicate the end of the delayed timing period.

(d) This section does not apply to audiotex programs with restricted access via personal identification number (PIN) code or special password.

(e) As used in this section, “delayed timing of information charges” means a service feature which delays commencement of billing of charges for a minimum of 12 seconds in order to provide the information required by subdivision (c).

(f) Every violation of this section is a misdemeanor.