2005 Maine Code - §2932 — Designated emergency telephone number

      1. Designated emergency telephone number. The primary telephone number to be used in a telephone exchange to request emergency services following the activation of E-9-1-1 services for that exchange, including the number for telecommunications devices for communication for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired, is 9-1-1.[1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]
      2. Publishing of 9-1-1. A publisher of a directory of Maine telephone numbers for use by telephone subscribers in Maine must include in a conspicuous portion of the directory:
   
A. For any area within the directory in which E-9-1-1 has not been activated, the emergency numbers of the State Police and any sheriffs' departments that serve the area; and [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]    
B. For any area within the directory in which E-9-1-1 has been activated, the number 9-1-1 as the primary telephone number to request emergency services. The number "9-1-1" must be accompanied by words indicating it is accessible by teletypewriter device, or TTY, such as "TTY/Voice." A publisher is not required to update a directory following an activation of E-9-1-1 within the directory area until the next regular printing of the directory. [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).] [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]
      3. Commercial use of the number 9-1-1. The number 9-1-1 may not be used for commercial purposes in a manner that is deceptive or likely to produce confusion with respect to its use as the primary emergency telephone number to request emergency services.[1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]
      4. Display of 9-1-1. When displayed on signs and in other formats designed to advertise the number and its use to the public printed after the effective date of this subsection or on emergency vehicles, 9-1-1 must be:
   
A. Printed in plain block numerals with a dash between the numerals; [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]    
B. Accompanied by the word "emergency"; and [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]    
C. Except in the case of emergency vehicles, accompanied by words indicating accessibility by teletypewriter device, such as "TTY/Voice." [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).] [1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]
      5. Penalty. Violation of subsection 3 is a civil offense for which a forfeiture of up to $500 may be adjudged. A forfeiture may not be imposed under this subsection unless the person alleged to have violated subsection 3 received notification from the bureau director that the person's commercial use of the number 9-1-1 is, in the opinion of the bureau director, a violation of subsection 3 and the person has been provided an opportunity to respond to that notification prior to the filing of an action pursuant to this subsection.[1999, c. 651, §3 (new).]

Section History:

PL 1999,  Ch. 651,   §3 (NEW).