878.7.
On or before June 30, 2019, the commission shall adopt a rule to improve the cost-effectiveness of the delivery of the lifeline program. The commission shall include, at minimum, all of the following in the rule:(a) A modified recertification process that minimizes barriers to recertification faced by a subscriber, reduces the burden and cost of recertification on the lifeline program, and provides for all of the following:
(1) When a subscriber transfers his or her benefit from one lifeline provider to another, the anniversary date for that subscriber shall be one calendar year from the approval date of the benefit transfer.
(2) Allowing each lifeline subscriber to complete his or her annual recertification of eligibility online using an electronic signature and verifying his or her identity using personally identifiable information on file with the third-party administrator, without using a commission-issued personal identification number (PIN).
(3) Allowing lifeline subscribers the option to complete annual recertification of eligibility through an interactive voice response system.
(b) Allowing direct consumer enrollment with an electronic signature through an online platform to expand participation in the program.
(c) A means to encourage lifeline service providers to work with community-based organizations, and other approved nonprofit organizations, to increase participation in the lifeline program by assisting those providers with outreach, marketing, and enrollment.
(d) A period of time when a subscriber would be able to terminate lifeline service without penalty, similar to provisions established in Section 4.13.5 of commission Decision 14-01-036 (January 16, 2014), Decision Adopting Revisions to Modernize and Expand the California Lifeline Program.
(e) A requirement that the administrator of the lifeline program provide a telephone corporation providing lifeline service with real-time information concerning whether a subscriber has enrolled with another telephone corporation during the period of the portability freeze adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 878.5 and, if the subscriber enrolled during this period, the date of enrollment.