Bill > HB5152

This bill establishes protections for residential utility customers during a declared state of emergency, preventing public utilities from disconnecting services for non-payment as long as the customer enters into a deferred payment agreement, which cannot include down payments, late fees, or penalties, and requires the customer to attest to financial hardship. Public utilities are also mandated to restore service within 48 hours if it was terminated during the emergency, and for 180 days after the emergency ends, utilities cannot disconnect service for defaulted deferred payment agreements or arrears if the customer experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these provisions and actively offer deferred payment agreements to those affected by financial hardship, while still retaining the right to recover owed funds after the emergency and to disconnect service for health and safety reasons.

Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5152&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill