§1612. Emergency service plan; cable service providers and video service providers; public
service commission
A.(1) On or before June 1, 2021, each cable service provider and video service
provider shall prepare and submit to the commission an emergency service plan, which shall
include a provider's emergency preparedness and response plan to an emergency or disaster.
(2) The emergency service plan shall include all of the following information:
(a) The name and contact information of two persons who have knowledge of the
provider's emergency operations.
(b) The identification of any available human resources and their position and
responsibilities during an emergency.
(c) The provider's plan for obtaining resources that may be necessary during an
emergency, including but not limited to communication, equipment, generators, and vehicles.
(d) The arrangement of any alternative facility if a facility is needed for the operation
and continuity of service.
(e) A description of the drills or exercises to be performed at least annually that test
and evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency service plan.
(f) A schedule for the regular evaluation and a risk mitigation strategy for all
operating assets that may be at a higher risk or are prone to damage during an emergency.
(g) The provider's means of communication with the commission in the event of a
disruption of telecommunication services.
B.(1) Upon receipt of an emergency service plan, the commission shall review the
plan to determine compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and any applicable rules
and regulations of the commission.
(2) On or before August first of each year, the commission shall submit a written
declaration certifying compliance or noncompliance with the provisions of this Section for
each cable service provider and video service provider to the director of the Governor's
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs, and the House Committee on
Commerce.
C. Each cable service provider and video service provider shall review its emergency
service plan on an annual basis. If any change is made to the emergency service plan, the
revised plan shall be submitted to the commission on or before the following June first. If
no change was made to the emergency service plan, written notification that the previously
submitted plan is current shall be submitted to the commission on or before the following
June first.
D. On or before March 1, 2021, the commission shall adopt rules and regulations
consistent with its rulemaking authority in Article 4, Section 21(B) of the Constitution of
Louisiana to implement the provisions of this Chapter.
E. The filing of an emergency service plan in accordance with the provisions of this
Section shall not subject any cable service provider or video service provider to any
regulatory jurisdiction by the commission not in effect on December 1, 2020.
F. If a cable service provider or video service provider uses the same facilities to
provide any other service regulated by the commission and files with the commission an
emergency service plan for that service that includes an emergency preparedness and
response plan for cable service, video service, or both, that cable service provider or video
service provider shall not be required to submit an additional emergency service plan
pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 42, §1, eff. Dec. 1, 2020.