Bill > S2013

This bill extends the period during which utility services cannot be terminated for customers who have a serious illness, as certified by a licensed physician. Specifically, it changes the minimum time before termination can occur from three weeks to three months after a public utility receives written certification of a serious illness, or it extends the termination date to the last day of the period specified by the physician for the illness's duration if that is longer. If the physician cannot determine the illness's length, the three-month minimum applies. The bill also allows for a review process if the illness extends beyond the initial termination date, and clarifies that while utilities must honor physician certifications, they can seek review of their validity, and customers must be informed of any rejection and their right to appeal. Importantly, this protection does not absolve customers of their responsibility to pay for the utility services they have used.

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