Subdivision 1. Scope. The terms used in sections 237.50 to 237.56 have the meanings given them in this section.
Subd. 2. [Repealed, 1995 c 190 s 17]
Subd. 3. Communication disability. "Communication disability" means certified as having a hearing loss, speech disability, or physical disability that makes it difficult or impossible to use telecommunications services and equipment.
Subd. 4. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 4a. Deaf. "Deaf" means a hearing loss of such severity that the person must depend primarily upon visual communication such as writing, lip reading, sign language, and gestures.
Subd. 4b. Deafblind. "Deafblind" means any combination of vision and hearing loss which interferes with acquiring information from the environment to the extent that compensatory strategies and skills are necessary to access that or other information.
Subd. 4c. Discounted telecommunications or Internet services. "Discounted telecommunications or Internet services" means private, nonprofit, and public programs intended to subsidize or reduce the monthly costs of telecommunications or Internet services for a person who meets a program's eligibility requirements.
Subd. 5. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 6. Fund. "Fund" means the telecommunications access Minnesota fund established in section 237.52.
Subd. 6a. Hard-of-hearing. "Hard-of-hearing" means a hearing loss resulting in a functional limitation, but not to the extent that the person must depend primarily upon visual communication in all interactions.
Subd. 6b. Interconnectivity product. "Interconnectivity product" means a device, accessory, or application for which the primary function is use with a telecommunications device. Interconnectivity product may include a cell phone amplifier, hearing aid streamer, Bluetooth-enabled device that connects to a wireless telecommunications device, advanced communications application for a smartphone, or other applicable technology.
Subd. 7. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 8. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 9. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 10. [Repealed by amendment, 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1]
Subd. 10a. Telecommunications device. "Telecommunications device" means a device that (1) allows a person with a communication disability to have access to telecommunications services as defined in subdivision 13, and (2) is specifically selected by the Department of Human Services for its capacity to allow persons with communication disabilities to use telecommunications services in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a person who does not have a communication disability. A telecommunications device may include a ring signaler, an amplified telephone, a hands-free telephone, a text telephone, a captioned telephone, a wireless device, a device that produces Braille output for use with a telephone, and any other device the Department of Human Services deems appropriate.
Subd. 11. Telecommunications Relay Services. "Telecommunications Relay Services" or "TRS" means the telecommunications transmission services required under Federal Communications Commission regulations at Code of Federal Regulations, title 47, sections 64.604 to 64.606. TRS allows a person who has a communication disability to use telecommunications services in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a person who does not have a communication disability.
Subd. 12. Telecommunications. "Telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.
Subd. 13. Telecommunications services. "Telecommunications services" means the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
1987 c 308 s 1,8; 1988 c 621 s 2; 1993 c 272 s 2-6,17; 1995 c 190 s 1; 2004 c 228 art 1 s 74; 2012 c 216 art 10 s 1; 1Sp2019 c 9 art 5 s 1-6
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 237 - 238 — Telecommunications
Chapter 237 — Telecommunications
Section 237.011 — Telecommunications Goals.
Section 237.012 — Broadband Goals.
Section 237.02 — General Authority Of Department And Commission; Definitions.
Section 237.025 — Competitive Market Regulation.
Section 237.03 — Scope Of Law.
Section 237.035 — Telecommunications Carrier Exemption.
Section 237.036 — Coin-operated Or Public Pay Telephones.
Section 237.04 — Wire Crossing Or Paralleling Utility Line; Rules.
Section 237.045 — Railroad Rights-of-way; Crossing Or Paralleling By Utilities.
Section 237.05 — Enforcement Authority.
Section 237.06 — Rates And Deposits.
Section 237.065 — Rate For School Or Purchasing Cooperative.
Section 237.066 — State Government Pricing Plans.
Section 237.067 — Establishment Exempt From Regulation.
Section 237.069 — Tracer; Harassing Telephone Call; Rules.
Section 237.07 — Filing Requirements.
Section 237.071 — Special Pricing.
Section 237.072 — Limitation On Rate Change.
Section 237.075 — Rate Change.
Section 237.076 — Settlement; Procedures.
Section 237.078 — Informal Review And Resolution Of Disputes.
Section 237.081 — Investigation.
Section 237.082 — Telecommunication Rate And Service Goals.
Section 237.09 — Discrimination Prohibited.
Section 237.10 — Uniform Rules, Classifications, Practices; Forms.
Section 237.101 — Electronic Billing.
Section 237.11 — Inspecting Records And Property; Reports Required.
Section 237.115 — Information Subject To Protective Order.
Section 237.12 — Service Connection Between Telephone Companies.
Section 237.121 — Prohibited Practices.
Section 237.131 — Intrastate Call Routing.
Section 237.132 — Registration Of Wholesale Transport Providers.
Section 237.14 — Rate For Service To Officer.
Section 237.15 — Investigation And Hearing; Authority Delegated.
Section 237.155 — Credit For Incorrect Directory Assistance.
Section 237.16 — Local Exchange Competition, Rules.
Section 237.162 — Public Right-of-way; Definitions.
Section 237.163 — Use And Regulation Of Public Right-of-way.
Section 237.164 — Universal Service Discount For School Or Library.
Section 237.17 — Extension Of Long-distance Line.
Section 237.19 — Municipal Telecommunications Services.
Section 237.20 — Condemnation: Notice, Compensation, Appeal.
Section 237.21 — Valuation Of Telephone Property.
Section 237.22 — Depreciation; Amortization.
Section 237.23 — Acquiring Property Of Another Company.
Section 237.231 — Sale Of Local Exchange Service.
Section 237.24 — Transcribed Copy Of Record, Expense.
Section 237.25 — Appeal From Decision Of Commission.
Section 237.26 — Order Final And Conclusive.
Section 237.27 — Attorney General To Compel Obedience.
Section 237.28 — Burden Of Proof.
Section 237.295 — Assessment Of Regulatory Expenses.
Section 237.30 — Telephone Investigation Fund; Appropriation.
Section 237.411 — Reduced Rate Regulation For Certain Business Customers.
Section 237.414 — Expanded Calling Areas; Transport Facilities; Terminations.
Section 237.435 — Annual Universal Service Funding Certification.
Section 237.46 — Gross Misdemeanor Violation.
Section 237.461 — Enforcement.
Section 237.49 — Combined Local Access Surcharge.
Section 237.491 — Combined Per Number Fee.
Section 237.51 — Telecommunications Access Minnesota Program Administration.
Section 237.52 — Telecommunications Access Minnesota Fund.
Section 237.53 — Telecommunications Devices And Interconnectivity Products.
Section 237.54 — Telecommunications Relay Services (trs).
Section 237.55 — Annual Report On Telecommunications Access.
Section 237.56 — Adequate Service Enforcement.
Section 237.59 — Classification Of Competitive Service; Hearing.
Section 237.60 — Discriminatory Practices; Service Costs.
Section 237.61 — Expedited Proceeding.
Section 237.626 — Promotion Activities.
Section 237.64 — Registration; Bond.
Section 237.66 — Disclosure Of Local Service Options.
Section 237.661 — Antislamming.
Section 237.662 — Notice And Disclosure Requirements Of Long-distance Providers.
Section 237.665 — Prohibition Against Billing For Unauthorized Charges.
Section 237.681 — Private Shared Services.
Section 237.69 — Telephone Assistance Plan; Definitions.
Section 237.70 — Development Of Telephone Assistance Plan.
Section 237.701 — Telephone Assistance Fund; Appropriation.
Section 237.73 — Obtaining Service By Fraud; Injunction.
Section 237.74 — Regulation Of Telecommunications Carrier.
Section 237.75 — Class Service.
Section 237.761 — Alternative Regulation Plan; Service.
Section 237.762 — Alternative Regulation Plan Rate, Price.
Section 237.763 — Exemption From Earnings Regulation And Investigation.
Section 237.764 — Plan Adoption; Effect.
Section 237.765 — Quality Of Service.
Section 237.766 — Plan Duration And Extension.
Section 237.767 — Discontinuance Of Service.
Section 237.768 — Periodic Financial Report.
Section 237.769 — Rules Applicable.
Section 237.770 — Subsidization.
Section 237.771 — Discrimination.
Section 237.772 — Cost Study Methodology.
Section 237.773 — Alternative Regulation For Small Telephone Company.
Section 237.774 — Application Of Other Laws.
Section 237.775 — Existing Plan Not Affected.
Section 237.79 — Telephone Company Providing Cable Service.
Section 237.80 — Interexchange Telephone Service.
Section 237.82 — Definitions; Call Location Information.
Section 237.83 — Disclosure Of Call Location Information; Emergency Situations.