Bill > H7612

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 termination date 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 end of the period specified by the physician if that duration is longer. If the physician does not specify the duration of the illness or if it's not ascertainable, the termination date will be at least three months from the utility's receipt of the written certification. The bill also allows for a review 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. Importantly, this extension of protection does not eliminate the customer's responsibility to pay for the services received.

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