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Bill > A3878


NJ A3878

NJ A3878
Prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics.


summary

Introduced
03/23/2020
In Committee
03/23/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/11/2022

Introduced Session

2020-2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits an electric, gas, or water public utility (utility) from discontinuing service to a residential customer for utility bill nonpayment during an epidemic, such as during the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, except when the utility experiences a utility emergency. A utility is to resume service, as soon as practicable, during an epidemic, to any residential customer whose service was discontinued prior to the existence of an epidemic and who is located at the same residence where the service was discontinued prior to the epidemic. This prohibition is no longer to apply once the Governor declares a public health emergency and a state of emergency due to the epidemic no longer exists. The bill provides that a residential customer who does not pay in full a utility bill on or before the date the bill is due during an epidemic is liable for any bill payment balance for service rendered by the public utility once the Governor determines that the epidemic no longer exists. The bill defines the terms "epidemic," "residential customer." and "utility emergency."

AI Summary

This bill prohibits electric, gas, or water public utilities from discontinuing service to residential customers for nonpayment during an epidemic, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, except in cases of a utility emergency. The bill requires utilities to resume service as soon as possible to any residential customer whose service was discontinued prior to the epidemic. This prohibition applies until the Governor rescinds the declared public health emergency and state of emergency. Residential customers who do not pay their utility bills during the epidemic will still be liable for the unpaid balance once the Governor determines the epidemic is no longer in existence.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Hearing (09:00 3/15/2021 Registration Form) (on 03/15/2021)

bill text


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