53-1-710. Approved 2-1-1 service providers. (1) Only an approved service provider may provide 2-1-1 telephone services after July 1, 2006. The department shall approve 2-1-1 service providers after considering the following:

(a) the ability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider to meet the national 2-1-1 standards recommended by the alliance of information and referral systems and adopted by the national 2-1-1 collaborative in October 2002;

(b) the financial stability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;

(c) the community support for the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;

(d) the proposed 2-1-1 service provider's relationships with other information and referral services;

(e) the proposed 2-1-1 service provider's record of providing existing 2-1-1 services; and

(f) the proposed 2-1-1 service area.

(2) An existing 2-1-1 service provider may apply for the geographical area in which the service provider is currently approved to offer 2-1-1 telephone services.