CHAPTER 36. INDIANA LIFELINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
IC 8-1-36
Chapter 36. Indiana Lifeline Assistance Program
IC 8-1-36-1
Application of chapter
Sec. 1. This chapter applies to an eligible telecommunications
carrier that offers basic telecommunications service in one (1) or
more exchange areas in Indiana.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-2
Application of definitions
Sec. 2. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the
definitions in IC 8-1-2.6 apply throughout this chapter.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-3
"Commission"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Indiana
utility regulatory commission created by IC 8-1-1-2.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-4
"Eligible telecommunications carrier"
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "eligible telecommunications
carrier" refers to a local exchange carrier that is designated as an
eligible telecommunications carrier by the commission under 47 CFR
54.201.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-5
"Federal Lifeline program"
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "federal Lifeline program" refers
to the retail local service offering:
(1) available only to qualifying low-income consumers (as
defined in 47 CFR 54.400(a));
(2) for which qualifying low-income consumers pay reduced
charges as a result of the application of the Lifeline support
amount described in 47 CFR 54.403; and
(3) that includes the services and functionalities set forth in 47
CFR 54.101(a)(1) through 47 CFR 54.101(a)(9);
as described in 47 CFR 54.401.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-6
"Participant"
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "participant" refers to an eligible
customer who applies for and receives assistance through the
program.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-7
"Program"
Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the Indiana
Lifeline assistance program established by the commission under
section 8 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-8
Rules to establish program; funding mechanisms; reduced rates
for basic telecommunications service
Sec. 8. (a) Not later than July 1, 2008, the commission shall adopt
rules under IC 4-22-2 to establish the Indiana Lifeline assistance
program. The program shall offer reduced charges for basic
telecommunications service to eligible customers. The rules adopted
by the commission under this section must do the following:
(1) Require an eligible telecommunications carrier to offer toll
limitation (as defined in 47 CFR 54.400(d)) to an eligible
customer who applies for assistance under the program. The
rules must specify that an eligible telecommunications carrier
may not charge a participant an administrative charge or any
other additional amount for toll limitation.
(2) Allow an eligible telecommunications carrier to block a
participant's access to interexchange service, except for access
to toll free numbers, if the participant owes an outstanding
amount for basic telecommunications service. The rules must
require an eligible telecommunications carrier to remove the
block without additional cost to the participant upon payment
of the outstanding amount.
(3) Prohibit an eligible telecommunications carrier from
discontinuing basic telecommunications service to a participant
because of nonpayment by the participant of charges for other
services billed by the eligible telecommunications carrier,
including interexchange service.
(b) Funding for the following costs of the program shall be
determined by the commission, after notice and hearing, in a manner
based on and consistent with comparable federal funding
mechanisms for the federal Lifeline program:
(1) The costs of reimbursing eligible telecommunications
carriers for lost revenues associated with providing reduced
charges for basic telecommunications service to participants.
(2) Reasonable expenses incurred by the commission and
eligible telecommunications carriers to:
(A) administer the program; and
(B) publicize the availability of the program in a manner
reasonably designed to reach eligible customers.
(c) The rules adopted by the commission under IC 4-22-2 to
establish the program must:
(1) take effect not later than July 1, 2009; and
(2) be consistent with this chapter.
Upon the effective date of the rules adopted by the commission under
this section, an eligible telecommunications carrier shall offer basic
telecommunications service to an eligible customer at the reduced
rates established under the rules.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.
IC 8-1-36-9
Eligibility for reduced rates under program
Sec. 9. A customer is eligible to receive reduced rates for basic
telecommunications service under the program if:
(1) the customer's income (as defined in 47 CFR 54.400(f))
does not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal
poverty guidelines; or
(2) any person in the customer's household receives or has a
child who receives any of the following:
(A) Medicaid.
(B) Food stamps.
(C) Supplemental Security Income.
(D) Federal public housing assistance.
(E) Home energy assistance under a program administered
by the lieutenant governor under IC 4-4-33-1(3).
(F) Assistance under the federal Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) program (45 CFR 260 et seq.).
(G) Free lunches under the national school lunch program.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59. Amended by P.L.1-2007, SEC.79;
P.L.1-2009, SEC.65.
IC 8-1-36-10
Tier Three federal Lifeline support
Sec. 10. An eligible telecommunications carrier may seek Tier
Three federal Lifeline support under 47 CFR 54.403(a)(3) in
connection with support provided by the eligible telecommunications
carrier under this chapter.
As added by P.L.27-2006, SEC.59.