7/15/04-Gov. James McGreevey signed a bill June 29 imposing a fee on mobile cell phone and landline phone users to help fund the state’s enhanced 9-1-1 system and emergency response.
The new law, previously A3112, imposes a 90-cent-a-month fee on each cellular and landline phone bill to help pay for an upgrade to the 9-1-1 system.
In return, consumers across the state will have enhanced 9-1-1 service capable of geographically locating a cell phone caller with the aid of global positioning satellite services.
Enhanced 9-1-1 is a service that allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the location and phone number of a person without the caller having to say a word.
Funds from the account will be annually appropriated to upgrade the 9-1-1 system, as well as for a variety of other operating and capital expenses related to emergency response.
The new law took effect immediately.