Military exemption from service provider termination fees approved by Indiana House

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislation advanced by co-author State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) was unanimously approved on Monday (Feb. 2) by members of the Indiana House of Representatives to grant active duty military servicemembers the right to terminate service provider contracts and an exemption from early termination fees.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is established by House Bill 1456 which applies to military members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Contracts eligible for termination include internet, television, and satellite radio services.

“Deployed Hoosiers are in the middle of combative landscapes and displaying true bravery,” said Moseley. “While fighting for our freedom, these individuals should not have to worry about paying for termination fees or contracts they no longer have access to through no fault of their own.

“Their families and comrades should be at the forefront of their minds, not cable TV membership or internet payments,” he added.

Under HB 1456, the Indiana National Guard must publish on its website a directory of active duty military members and list their rights according to the state and federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Acts.

Authored by State Rep. Dennis Zent (R-Angola), this bipartisan legislation was so popular that it attracted numerous House members as co-authors.

HB 1456 was adopted by the Indiana House on a vote of 94-0 and now heads to the Senate for further legislative action.