Bill: No cell payments for deployed troops - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Bill: No cell payments for deployed troops

Service members deployed for 90 days or longer outside the U.S. would be able to cancel cell phone contracts without penalty under legislation passed Thursday by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., is the chief sponsor of the provision, attached to a larger veterans’ benefits bill. Feingold has been trying for two years to provide such relief for deployed troops, who can be forced to pay for cellular phone services they cannot use while out of the U.S. The Senate committee responsible for the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act, which includes financial protections for deployed troops, finally has agreed.

Feingold’s provision is included in S 1315, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, which passed the committee by voice vote. The provision allows for the suspension or termination of cell phone contracts without penalty for service members deployed overseas for more than 90 days. This would apply to contracts under group and family plans in addition to individual plans.

Moving within the U.S., which is all that is needed to be able to break a lease for rental housing under current law, would not be enough cause to cancel a cell phone contract.

Major veterans groups support Feingold’s cause. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the nation’s largest group of combat veterans, said that because phone companies requiring lengthy contracts for service, troops can sign up and then be locked into paying a plan after being sent to Iraq, Afghanistan or some other overseas deployment.

Most contracts allow early termination, but usually charge high fees for that.

“Many of our service members are deployed to areas where cell phones are of no use and cannot be activated. Most service providers will not suspend a contract while soldiers are deployed. Our soldiers should not have to pay a provider for termination or monthly fees on a contract for a service they cannot use,” said Eric Hilleman of the VFW during a May hearing on pending veterans’ bills.