An Act regarding regulation of directory assistance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Muradian

Offers certified handicapped or elderly residents unlimited, free directory assistance calls and bars any charges for DA on coin-operated payphones.

Accompanied a study order, see H5323

Overview

H 3536, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative David K. Muradian, Jr., would amend Chapter 159 of the General Laws to regulate directory assistance (DA) services, with a focus on accessibility for handicapped and elderly customers. The bill proposes that certified handicapped or elderly individuals may access unlimited directory assistance calls at no charge, and it sets constraints on charges for coin-operated (pay) telephones. It also clarifies the department’s regulatory scope over in-state versus out-of-state DA offerings.

Key Provisions and Changes

Free DA for certified individuals: Customers who are certified handicapped or elderly under regulations promulgated by the department would be entitled to an unlimited number of directory assistance calls at no charge, subject to reasonable terms and conditions established by the department.

No charges for coin-operated payphones: No rate, fare, toll, or charge for directory assistance may be charged to users of coin-operated telephones.

Definition of directory assistance: The bill defines “directory assistance service” as providing a telephone number for another customer within the Commonwealth.

Scope of regulation: A telecommunications company that provides DA within Massachusetts, or a service that provides numbers for customers in another state, would not be required to file a schedule with the department to offer such in-state or out-of-state DA services, and the department would have no authority to review or approve offerings of out-of-state DA services.

Regulatory framework: Requires certification of handicapped or elderly status under department regulations; the department would regulate terms and conditions related to the free DA calls.

Who Would Be Affected

Certified users: Handicapped or elderly residents who meet department-set certification criteria would gain access to unlimited, free DA calls.

Telecommunications providers: Carriers offering directory assistance within Massachusetts would incur potential changes to pricing structures for DA, particularly regarding DA services for eligible customers.

Coin-operated telephone users: Benefit from the prohibition on charges for DA calls from payphones.

Out-of-state DA providers: Exempt from Massachusetts filing requirements and department approvals for out-of-state DA offerings.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Legislative actions:

Referred to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (2/27/2025)
Hearing scheduled: April 30, 2025 (rescheduled to May 6, 2025, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, in chamber A-2)
Senate concurrence noted (2/27/2025)
Reporting date extended: December 3, 2025 (previously set for an earlier date)

Status: Reporting date extension to Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Version/Relation: Related to prior similar matter from 2023-2024 (HD 3198). House Docket No. 2402 corresponds to the 2025 filing (H 3536).

Additional Notes

The bill does not specify an exact effective date; enactment timing would follow standard constitutional processes (enactment and publication).

This proposal focuses on accessibility and affordability of DA for vulnerable populations while clarifying regulatory boundaries with respect to out-of-state DA offerings.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the prior related measure (HD 3198) or provide a side-by-side with current DA charges to illustrate potential financial impacts on providers.

Bill