Technology (Consumer Protection)

This bill requires West Virginia's Office of Broadband to coordinate with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division on specific consumer complaints about broadband service. It establishes clear rules for broadband providers, including giving subscribers credits for service interruptions over 24 hours, banning discrimination based on protected characteristics, and mandating 30 days' written notice before rate increases. Providers must also inform customers about unresolved billing or service disputes and provide written notice of complaint resolution processes. This directly affects broadband companies and their subscribers across West Virginia, ensuring consistent handling of consumer issues between state agencies.

HB 5123, the Consumer Data Protection Act, gives West Virginia consumers new rights over their personal data held by businesses. It requires businesses meeting size thresholds (like $25 million in annual revenue or handling data from 50,000+ consumers) to let consumers access, delete, correct, or opt out of selling their information. The law prohibits businesses from discriminating against consumers who exercise these rights and allows individuals to sue for violations. The West Virginia Division of Consumer Protection will enforce the law and create rules for implementation.

HB 4909 prohibits deceptive telephone solicitation in West Virginia by requiring prior written consent for automated calls (like robocalls) and banning caller ID spoofing, blocking, or calls between 8 PM and 8 AM. It directly affects consumers (protecting them from scams), businesses (requiring consent for sales calls), and telecom providers (mandating anti-spoofing technology like STIR/SHAKEN within 12 months). Violators face civil penalties of $100 per spoofed call, full reimbursement for customer damages, and a 5x restitution fee - 75% of which funds local fire and emergency medical services. Exemptions include charities, business-to-business calls, and communications within existing customer relationships.