KANSAS STATUTES AND CODES

21-4211. Refusal to yield a telephone party line.

21-4211

Chapter 21.--CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS PART II.--PROHIBITED CONDUCT Article 42.--CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC SAFETY

21-4211. Refusal to yield a telephone party line.(1) Refusal to yield a telephone party line is willfully refusing toimmediately yield or surrender the use of a party line when informed thatthe line is needed for an emergency call to a fire department or policedepartment or for medical aid or ambulance service.

(2) Definitions. (a) "Party line" means a subscriber's line telephonecircuit, consisting of two (2) or more main telephone stations connectedtherewith, each station with a distinctive ring or telephone number.

(b) "Emergency" means a situation in which property or human life is injeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.

(3) No person shall request the use of a party line on the pretext thatan emergency exists, knowing that no emergency in fact exists.

(4) Every telephone directory published for distribution to members ofthe general public shall contain a notice setting forth a summary of theprovisions of this section. Such notice shall be printed in type which isno smaller than any other type on the same page and shall be preceded bythe word "WARNING." The provisions of this subsection shall not apply tothose directories distributed solely for business advertising services,commonly known as classified directories.

(5) Violation of any subsection of this section is a class Cmisdemeanor.

History: L. 1969, ch. 180, § 21-4211; July 1, 1970.