SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Public Utility Companies

SUBTITLE 1. CHANCE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER SERVICES.

8-401.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) TOLL RESELLER" MEANS A PERSON WHO PROVIDES TOLL SERVICES OR
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO END USE CUSTOMERS BY USING THE
TRANSMISSION FACILITIES OF ANOTHER PERSON, INCLUDING WIRE, CABLE,
OPTICAL FIBER, OR SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL RADIO SIGNALS, REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER THE TOLL RESELLER POSSESSES ITS OWN SWITCHING FACILITIES.

(C) "TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE" MEANS ANY SERVICE OR PRODUCT
PROVIDED BY A TELEPHONE COMPANY OR RESELLER THAT IS SUPPLIED BY WAY OF
TRANSMISSION OVER TELEPHONE LINES.

(C) (D) "TOLL SERVICE" MEANS A TYPE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE,

COMMONLY KNOWN AS LONG DISTANCE SERVICE, THAT IS PROVIDED ON AN
INTRASTATE BASIS BETWEEN LATAS AND WITHIN LATAS AND THAT IS:

(1) NOT INCLUDED AS A PART OF BASIC LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE;

(2) PROVIDED BETWEEN LOCAL CALLING AREAS.

SUBTITLE 4. TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE CHANGES.

8-401.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) " HOLD ORDER" OR "FREEZE" MEANS A DIRECTIVE TO RETAIN:

(1) THE TELEPHONE COMPANY OR RESELLER SELECTED BY A
CUSTOMER UNTIL THE CUSTOMER PROVIDES EXPRESS AUTHORIZATION FOR A
CHANGE TO ANOTHER TELEPHONE COMPANY OR RESELLER;

(2) FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE OPTIONS FOR WHICH THE
TELEPHONE COMPANY OR RESELLER IMPOSES A CHARGE, THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE OPTIONS SELECTED BY A CUSTOMER UNTIL THE
CUSTOMER PROVIDES EXPRESS AUTHORIZATION FOR A CHANGE OF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE OPTIONS; OR

(3) THE PERSON WHO BILLS THE CUSTOMER OR THE CUSTOMER'S
BILLING ARRANGEMENT UNTIL THE CUSTOMER PROVIDES EXPRESS