Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 31 - Public Utilities Commission
Rule 31.46.02 - RULES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES (TRS)
THE TRS PROGRAM, ADMINISTRATOR, AND PROVIDER
Section 31.46.02.100 - REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRS PROGRAM
Current through August 31, 2023
01. Operational Requirements. A TRS provider will comply with these operational requirements: (3-31-22)
02. Communications Assistants' Handling of Calls. TRS providers must require that communications assistants (CAs) be sufficiently trained to effectively meet the specialized communication needs of individuals with hearing and speech disabilities and that communications assistants have competent skills in typing, grammar, spelling, interpretation of typewritten ASL, and familiarity with hearing and speech disability cultures, languages and etiquette. Communications assistants are prohibited from disclosing the content of any relayed conversation regardless of content and from keeping records of the content of any conversation beyond the duration of a call. Communications assistants are prohibited from intentionally altering a relayed conversation and must relay all conversations verbatim unless the relay user specifically requests summarization. Communications assistants must relay all messages promptly and accurately. (3-31-22)
03. Rates. The users of TRS shall pay rates no greater than the rates paid for functionally equivalent voice communication services with respect to such factors as the duration of the call, the time of day, and the distance from point of origination to the point of termination. In particular, this means that when a telephone call from one customer to another would not incur long-distance charges if the call were placed directly without use of the TRS system, then there will be no long-distance charge for that call when the TRS system is used, even if the TRS provider is located in a telephone exchange that would ordinarily require a long-distance call to reach the calling or answering party. (3-31-22)
04. Other Standards and Services. The standards and services required for TRS providers by this rule are minimum standards and services. The request for proposal for TRS services may require additional standards or services, or if the request for proposals does not, the selection of the TRS provider may take into account the ability of the TRS provider to meet standards or provide services in addition to the minimum standards or services required by this rule. (3-31-22)