§269-16.5  Lifeline telephone rates.  (a)  The public utilities commission shall implement a program to achieve lifeline telephone rates for residential telephone users.

     (b)  "Lifeline telephone rate" means a discounted rate for residential telephone users identified as elders with limited income and the handicapped with limited income as designated by the commission.

     (c)  The commission shall require every telephone public utility providing local telephone service to file a schedule of rates and charges providing a rate for lifeline telephone subscribers.

     (d)  Nothing in this section shall preclude the commission from changing any rate established pursuant to subsection (a) either specifically or pursuant to any general restructuring of all telephone rates, charges, and classifications. [L 1986, c 116, §3; am L 1990, c 67, §8]