Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HEADING: PL 1989, C. 502, PT. A, §123 (RP)
Chapter 7: REGULATION AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
§704. Termination of utility services
The following provisions apply to termination of a customer's utility service. [1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
1. Residential customers. The commission shall adopt and promulgate reasonable rules after a hearing concerning the termination or disconnection of any residential customer's service by a transmission and distribution, gas, water or telephone utility of the State. These rules apply generally to all such utilities within the commission's jurisdiction and must provide for adequate written notice by that utility to the residential customer that the customer's utility bill has not been paid, and a notice of the prospective termination or disconnection and the right, prior to disconnection, to enter into reasonable installment payment arrangements with that utility; to settle any dispute concerning the proposed disconnection at an informal hearing with that utility and to appeal the results of that utility's decision to the commission. The rules must also provide that there may be no termination or disconnection during a limited medical emergency and for a just and reasonable procedure regarding reconnections of utility service and deposit requirements.
[ 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF); 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §18 (AMD) .]
2. Nonresidential customers. Each public utility shall file with the commission schedules containing its terms and conditions applicable to termination of utility services to any nonresidential customer, which terms and conditions shall be subject to the commission's power under this Title. Every public utility shall comply with its terms and conditions. The commission shall adopt rules which provide a procedure for resolution by the commission or its delegate of disputes as to whether a proposed termination by a public utility is in compliance with its terms and conditions. A public utility may not terminate service to a nonresidential customer if the commission or its delegate rules within 7 days of receipt of the request for ruling that the proposed termination is not in compliance with the utility's terms and conditions. If the rules authorize a delegate to resolve disputes, the rule shall include a procedure for appeal of the decision to the commission.
[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]
3. Violation of rules.
[ 2003, c. 505, §15 (RP) .]
4. Property loss suffered by a customer. Upon a finding by the District Court of a property loss suffered by a customer causally related to a willful or reckless violation by a public utility of any substantive rule adopted by the commission pursuant to the authority granted in this section, the court may order the public utility to compensate the customer for the actual loss, less any setoff for a balance found to be due the utility by the customer for unpaid utility service. That loss may not include consequential damages. No action for damages resulting from a termination that was in willful or reckless violation of the commission's rules may be commenced until at least 60 days after notice of a claim setting forth the nature of the termination and the damages suffered has been provided to the utility. That notice must be provided to the utility in writing within 30 days of the termination.
[ 2003, c. 505, §16 (AMD) .]
5. Confidentiality of customer information. The following provisions apply to the confidentiality of customer information.
A. Records containing the following information shall be confidential and are not public records for the purpose of Title 1, section 402, subsection 3:
(1) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the payment and credit history and financial condition of a customer who has requested the assistance of the division; and
(2) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the medical condition of a customer or member of a customer's family. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
B. Notwithstanding paragraph A, any person, agency or public utility directly involved in the investigation of an individual customer matter shall be given access to the information which is pertinent to the complaint. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
C. Compilations of information in which the customer's identity is not disclosed are not confidential. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
D. The Consumer Assistance Division shall prepare its decisions or abstracts of decisions in a manner which protects the confidentiality of customer information as provided by this subsection. Those decisions or abstracts of decisions shall be available for public access. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
[ 1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). 1987, c. 614, §2 (AMD). 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). 1999, c. 398, §A18 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §§B76,78 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). 2003, c. 505, §§15,16 (AMD).
Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HEADING: PL 1989, C. 502, PT. A, §123 (RP)
Chapter 7: REGULATION AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
§704. Termination of utility services
The following provisions apply to termination of a customer's utility service. [1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
1. Residential customers. The commission shall adopt and promulgate reasonable rules after a hearing concerning the termination or disconnection of any residential customer's service by a transmission and distribution, gas, water or telephone utility of the State. These rules apply generally to all such utilities within the commission's jurisdiction and must provide for adequate written notice by that utility to the residential customer that the customer's utility bill has not been paid, and a notice of the prospective termination or disconnection and the right, prior to disconnection, to enter into reasonable installment payment arrangements with that utility; to settle any dispute concerning the proposed disconnection at an informal hearing with that utility and to appeal the results of that utility's decision to the commission. The rules must also provide that there may be no termination or disconnection during a limited medical emergency and for a just and reasonable procedure regarding reconnections of utility service and deposit requirements.
[ 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF); 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §18 (AMD) .]
2. Nonresidential customers. Each public utility shall file with the commission schedules containing its terms and conditions applicable to termination of utility services to any nonresidential customer, which terms and conditions shall be subject to the commission's power under this Title. Every public utility shall comply with its terms and conditions. The commission shall adopt rules which provide a procedure for resolution by the commission or its delegate of disputes as to whether a proposed termination by a public utility is in compliance with its terms and conditions. A public utility may not terminate service to a nonresidential customer if the commission or its delegate rules within 7 days of receipt of the request for ruling that the proposed termination is not in compliance with the utility's terms and conditions. If the rules authorize a delegate to resolve disputes, the rule shall include a procedure for appeal of the decision to the commission.
[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]
3. Violation of rules.
[ 2003, c. 505, §15 (RP) .]
4. Property loss suffered by a customer. Upon a finding by the District Court of a property loss suffered by a customer causally related to a willful or reckless violation by a public utility of any substantive rule adopted by the commission pursuant to the authority granted in this section, the court may order the public utility to compensate the customer for the actual loss, less any setoff for a balance found to be due the utility by the customer for unpaid utility service. That loss may not include consequential damages. No action for damages resulting from a termination that was in willful or reckless violation of the commission's rules may be commenced until at least 60 days after notice of a claim setting forth the nature of the termination and the damages suffered has been provided to the utility. That notice must be provided to the utility in writing within 30 days of the termination.
[ 2003, c. 505, §16 (AMD) .]
5. Confidentiality of customer information. The following provisions apply to the confidentiality of customer information.
A. Records containing the following information shall be confidential and are not public records for the purpose of Title 1, section 402, subsection 3:
(1) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the payment and credit history and financial condition of a customer who has requested the assistance of the division; and
(2) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the medical condition of a customer or member of a customer's family. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
B. Notwithstanding paragraph A, any person, agency or public utility directly involved in the investigation of an individual customer matter shall be given access to the information which is pertinent to the complaint. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
C. Compilations of information in which the customer's identity is not disclosed are not confidential. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
D. The Consumer Assistance Division shall prepare its decisions or abstracts of decisions in a manner which protects the confidentiality of customer information as provided by this subsection. Those decisions or abstracts of decisions shall be available for public access. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
[ 1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). 1987, c. 614, §2 (AMD). 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). 1999, c. 398, §A18 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §§B76,78 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). 2003, c. 505, §§15,16 (AMD).
Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HEADING: PL 1989, C. 502, PT. A, §123 (RP)
Chapter 7: REGULATION AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
§704. Termination of utility services
The following provisions apply to termination of a customer's utility service. [1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
1. Residential customers. The commission shall adopt and promulgate reasonable rules after a hearing concerning the termination or disconnection of any residential customer's service by a transmission and distribution, gas, water or telephone utility of the State. These rules apply generally to all such utilities within the commission's jurisdiction and must provide for adequate written notice by that utility to the residential customer that the customer's utility bill has not been paid, and a notice of the prospective termination or disconnection and the right, prior to disconnection, to enter into reasonable installment payment arrangements with that utility; to settle any dispute concerning the proposed disconnection at an informal hearing with that utility and to appeal the results of that utility's decision to the commission. The rules must also provide that there may be no termination or disconnection during a limited medical emergency and for a just and reasonable procedure regarding reconnections of utility service and deposit requirements.
[ 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF); 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §18 (AMD) .]
2. Nonresidential customers. Each public utility shall file with the commission schedules containing its terms and conditions applicable to termination of utility services to any nonresidential customer, which terms and conditions shall be subject to the commission's power under this Title. Every public utility shall comply with its terms and conditions. The commission shall adopt rules which provide a procedure for resolution by the commission or its delegate of disputes as to whether a proposed termination by a public utility is in compliance with its terms and conditions. A public utility may not terminate service to a nonresidential customer if the commission or its delegate rules within 7 days of receipt of the request for ruling that the proposed termination is not in compliance with the utility's terms and conditions. If the rules authorize a delegate to resolve disputes, the rule shall include a procedure for appeal of the decision to the commission.
[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]
3. Violation of rules.
[ 2003, c. 505, §15 (RP) .]
4. Property loss suffered by a customer. Upon a finding by the District Court of a property loss suffered by a customer causally related to a willful or reckless violation by a public utility of any substantive rule adopted by the commission pursuant to the authority granted in this section, the court may order the public utility to compensate the customer for the actual loss, less any setoff for a balance found to be due the utility by the customer for unpaid utility service. That loss may not include consequential damages. No action for damages resulting from a termination that was in willful or reckless violation of the commission's rules may be commenced until at least 60 days after notice of a claim setting forth the nature of the termination and the damages suffered has been provided to the utility. That notice must be provided to the utility in writing within 30 days of the termination.
[ 2003, c. 505, §16 (AMD) .]
5. Confidentiality of customer information. The following provisions apply to the confidentiality of customer information.
A. Records containing the following information shall be confidential and are not public records for the purpose of Title 1, section 402, subsection 3:
(1) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the payment and credit history and financial condition of a customer who has requested the assistance of the division; and
(2) Information acquired by the Consumer Assistance Division regarding the medical condition of a customer or member of a customer's family. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
B. Notwithstanding paragraph A, any person, agency or public utility directly involved in the investigation of an individual customer matter shall be given access to the information which is pertinent to the complaint. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
C. Compilations of information in which the customer's identity is not disclosed are not confidential. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
D. The Consumer Assistance Division shall prepare its decisions or abstracts of decisions in a manner which protects the confidentiality of customer information as provided by this subsection. Those decisions or abstracts of decisions shall be available for public access. [1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW).]
[ 1987, c. 614, §2 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). 1987, c. 614, §2 (AMD). 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). 1999, c. 398, §A18 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §§B76,78 (AMD). 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). 2003, c. 505, §§15,16 (AMD).
