Bill > H3972

This bill provides comprehensive utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat, specifically from May 15th to September 30th or during National Weather Service excessive heat warnings and advisories. The legislation prohibits cities, towns, water districts, municipal lighting plants, electric companies, and water service corporations from shutting off water or electricity for residential customers experiencing financial hardship when the service is necessary for temperature control or protecting residents from extreme weather conditions. Utility providers must submit monthly reports to the Department of Public Utilities detailing the number of households that would have lost service, their locations, and the estimated cost of maintaining service. Additionally, the department is required to conduct an annual public information campaign with multi-lingual, accessible educational materials about utility shutoff protections and payment assistance programs, and must collect and publicly report data on their outreach efforts, including event details, languages used, and the number of people who register for arrearage management plans. The bill also empowers the department to establish daily fines for entities that violate these protections and to develop additional regulations to implement the law.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3972