Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:4350 Primary Sponsor:Smith Committee Number:26 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Cable television company Residing Body:House Current Committee:Labor, Commerce and Industry Computer Document Number:DKA/3621.AL Introduced Date:Feb 05, 1992 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Feb 05, 1992 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Smith Sharpe Rudnick J. Brown Byrd Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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4350 House Feb 05, 1992 Introduced, read first time, 26
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-12-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CABLE TELEVISION COMPANY OR CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM MUST NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION COLLECTED BY IT REGARDING A SUBSCRIBER OR CONSUMER TO OTHER ENTITIES EXCEPT AS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ACTIVITY RELATED TO THE CABLE SYSTEM, UPON COURT ORDER, OR WAIVER BY THE SUBSCRIBER OR CONSUMER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 58-12-140. (A) Information personally identifying the cable subscriber or consumer obtained in connection with the operation of the cable system must not be disclosed for any purpose except as provided in this section. The information may include the subscriber's or consumer's name, account number, billing status, mailing address, premises address, telephone number, social security number, driver's license number, description of equipment and services provided, service records, and complaints.
(B) The information must be disclosed only to render cable services or to conduct a legitimate business activity related to the cable system, including delivery or maintenance of services and equipment, billing, accounts collection, advertising, or detection of unauthorized reception of cable communication services. In connection with these activities, this information may be disclosed on a day to day basis to employees or agents of the cable system, including but not limited to, sales or marketing personnel of the system, billing or collection services, auditors, accountants, attorneys, lenders, programmers, and regulatory agencies.
(C) Unless required by an order of the court, information personally identifying the subscriber or consumer must not be disclosed otherwise except upon completion of a disclosure authorization form by the subscriber or consumer. Disclosure forms must be maintained by the cable television company or cable television system, as defined in Section 58-12-120, for up to five years after the subscriber or consumer ceases to be a subscriber or consumer.
(D) A person who suffers any damages as a result of a violation of this section may bring an action individually to recover actual damages within three years from the date the violation occurs."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.