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SB 846

Relating to heating, ventilation, and air-condition technicians employed by State Board of Education or county boards of education

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robbie Morris

Allows multiple customers of record to alter or cancel a cell service contract with written consent, and lets the payer designate authorized users to transact on the account.

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Bill Summary · SB 846

SB 846 — Business Regulation: Cellular Phone Carriers — Authorized Users (Chapter 334)

Status: Enacted (Chapter 334). Approved by Governor (May 6, 2025). Effective date: October 1, 2025.
Sponsor: Senator Hettleman. Adds Article — Business Regulation §19‑108 (Annotated Code of Maryland).

Purpose / Intent

To increase consumer flexibility and clarity in cellular phone service accounts by (1) allowing customers to create service-contract options that permit multiple “customers of record” to modify or cancel a contract, and (2) requiring carriers to allow account holders to designate authorized users who may transact on the account within the scope of their authorization.

Key provisions

  • New §19‑108 (added to Article — Business Regulation):
    • Service‑contract option for multiple customers of record:
    • A carrier that offers a cellular service contract must include an option permitting more than one individual identified as a “customer of record” to alter, modify, or cancel the service contract without the agreement of the other customers of record — but only if all customers of record sign a written agreement adopting that option when the contract is executed.
    • Authorized user designation:
    • The customer of record who is responsible for payment on an account may designate other individuals as authorized users on the account.
    • An authorized user may purchase services or devices or take additional actions under any service contract connected to the account, to the extent the customer of record has granted that authority.

Who is affected

  • Consumers: primary account holders (customers of record), family or household members, and other designated authorized users (e.g., caregivers, dependents).
  • Wireless carriers and retail agents: required to add the contract option and support designation/authorization mechanics.
  • Consumer protection/market participants: potential changes in account management practices, billing interactions, and customer service procedures.

Enforcement, timeline, fiscal impact

  • The Act does not create new state enforcement mechanisms or specify penalties; it prescribes contract/content requirements for carriers.
  • Fiscal/fiscal note: bill does not directly affect state or local government finances (Department of Legislative Services).
  • Effective October 1, 2025 — carriers must implement required contract options and authorized‑user processes by that date.

Practical implications / considerations

  • Consumers gain formalized ability to delegate purchasing authority and to structure multi‑signer contracts, which can simplify family or institutional account management.
  • The bill does not change who is ultimately financially responsible for charges (the customer of record remains the payer unless otherwise agreed). Carriers will need operational changes (forms, account controls, training) to implement the authorization features.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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