S.6427 (Velella) / A. 1669 (Stringer)

STAFF CONTACT :

518.465.7517

BILL

S.6427 (Velella) / A. 1669 (Stringer)

SUBJECT

Orders of Protection

DATE

Oppose

The Business Council of New York State, Inc., whose membership includes over 4,000 member companies, chambers of commerce, and associations, has reviewed the aforementioned legislation and is opposed to its enactment.

The proposed legislation provides for unlisted telephone directory numbers without charge for victims of domestic violence whose benefit an order of protection has been issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

While well meaning and intentioned, this proposal doesn't provide the protection that it is intended to give. As we all know today, all you need is a computer to access names, addresses, phone numbers and other personal information without anyone knowing.

Secondly, the cost of this proposal could be in the millions. It is estimated that there are approximately five hundred protection orders issued daily. With a cost of one to two dollars per month for unlisted service this will increase the costs of all telephone subscribers by millions of dollars. While again the intentions are good, the waiving of the fee at the expense of all customers seems inappropriate.

Also, the proposed legislation doesn't deal with phone books that are in circulation before or after an order of protection is ordered. This makes it even more difficult for all parties to comply with such a law.

Finally, how does the telephone company police this situation? Does the individual tell the phone company that order has been lifted or does the company have to track down such information?

For the above stated reasons the Business Council opposes S.6427/A.1669 and requests its not be acted upon this session.