(a) If, upon investigation, the registrar has probable cause to believe that a licensee, an applicant for a license, or an unlicensed individual acting in the capacity of a contractor who is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this chapter, has violated Section 7027.1 by advertising for construction or work of improvement covered by this chapter in an alphabetical or classified directory, without being properly licensed, the registrar may issue a citation under Section 7099 containing an order of correction which requires the violator to cease the unlawful advertising and to notify the telephone company furnishing services to the violator to disconnect the telephone service furnished to any telephone number contained in the unlawful advertising, and that subsequent calls to that number shall not be referred by the telephone company to any new telephone number obtained by that person.
(b) If the person to whom a citation is issued under subdivision (a) notifies the registrar that he or she intends to contest the citation, the registrar shall afford an opportunity for a hearing, as specified in Section 7099.5, within 90 days after receiving the notification.
(c) If the person to whom a citation and order of correction is issued under subdivision (a) fails to comply with the order of correction after the order is final, the registrar shall inform the Public Utilities Commission of the violation, and the Public Utilities Commission shall require the telephone corporation furnishing services to that person to disconnect the telephone service furnished to any telephone number contained in the unlawful advertising.
(d) The good faith compliance by a telephone corporation with an order of the Public Utilities Commission to terminate service issued pursuant to this section shall constitute a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought against the telephone corporation arising from the termination of service.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 294, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1993.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018