On Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:10:02 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

a couple friends of mine said that
there was a law passed not long ago that would allow you to keep your
existing phone number regardless of who your new carrier was.

Any fact to this? and/or how do I find out?

I believe that's correct although Verizon obviously has the final say.
Tell them you won't make the switch unless you can keep the number and
see what happens.