Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits charging credit card or direct debit customers before the due date for utility and cable bills, unless the customer explicitly requests earlier charging in writing or via

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee

#consumerpro #publicutil #telephone #television

S 4330 — Summary

Overview

S 4330 seeks to reform billing practices for certain utilities and cable TV by prohibiting charging credit card or direct debit customers before the actual billing due date. The prohibition applies to telecommunications services, electric and gas utility services, and cable television service, unless the customer explicitly agrees in writing to an earlier charge or requests an earlier charge via approved methods. The bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to implement and enforce these provisions.

Purpose and Intent

Enhance consumer protections by ensuring that customers who pay by credit card or direct debit are not charged before the due date that would apply if they paid by cash, money order, or personal check.

Provide a clear framework for when earlier charges may occur (only with explicit customer consent in writing or upon customer request through approved channels).

Key Provisions

Prohibition on Early Charging:

A credit card customer or direct debit customer may not be charged for service prior to the actual billing due date, as if they were paying with cash/money order/personal check, unless the customer expressly agrees in writing to an earlier charge.

Exceptions to the Prohibition:

An early charge is permitted if the customer actively requests it by telephonic communication or by any other method approved by the BPU.

Oversight and Rulemaking:

The BPU is empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement these provisions under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Effective Date:

The act takes effect 90 days after enactment, with the BPU authorized to take administrative actions in advance to carry out its purposes.

Definitions (selected)

“Board” means the Board of Public Utilities or its successor.

“Cable television company” defined per state law as one providing CATV service to the public in New Jersey.

“Credit card customer” and “Direct debit customer” mean customers who authorize automatic billing via credit card or bank debit, respectively.

“Electric public utility” and “Gas public utility” refer to utilities distributing electricity or natural gas in the state.

“Telecommunications company” covers entities regulated by the board providing telecom services.

“Telecommunications service” encompasses services regulated under Title 48.

Implementation and Enforcement

The BPU will enforce the prohibition and can issue rules to implement the statute.

The act supplements Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.

Affected Parties

Telecommunications companies, electric public utilities, gas public utilities, and cable television companies operating in New Jersey.

Consumers who pay by credit card or direct debit.

Legislative Status and Sponsors

Introduced in the Senate on February 4, 2025; referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee (as of May 12, 2025).

Primary Sponsor: Zellnor Myrie; several co-sponsors, including Gustavo Rivera, Luis R. Sepúlveda, Nathalia Fernandez, and others.

Related Legislation

Related bills from prior sessions include A 8381, S 5749, S 3426, and companion bills A 5293, A 2468.

This summary captures the bill’s core aim, the main requirements, who is affected, and the procedural path it follows, with key dates and sponsor information.