Senate Bill 2888

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANY UTILITY SUPPLYING HEAT-RELATED SERVICE TO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT PERSONALLY AN ADULT RESIDENT OF THE PREMISES BEFORE A SCHEDULED SUSPENSION, DISCONNECTION OR TERMINATION; IF PERSONAL CONTACT IS MADE, THE CUSTOMER MUST BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PERSONAL CONFERENCE TO RESOLVE THE SUSPENSION, DISCONNECTION OR TERMINATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) For cold weather periods (between November 15th and April 1st), any utility supplying heat-related service shall attempt to contact personally an adult resident of the premises at least seventy-two (72) hours before a scheduled suspension, disconnection or termination. If two (2) attempts at contact by phone are unsuccessful, an on-site personal visit must be made. Personal contact also must be attempted at the time of termination.

(2) "Heat related service" includes service necessary to operate the heating system or a supplemental heating device, if the customer has notified the utility within the past year that the use of such a device is necessary because the landlord provides inadequate heat.

(3) If personal contact is made, the customer must be given an opportunity for a personal conference to resolve the suspension, disconnection or termination. Such personal conference shall include an opportunity to negotiate a partial or reduced payment of any unpaid bill.

(4) If, after diligent effort, no personal contact can be made before actual suspension, disconnection or termination, an attempt must be made by the utility to ascertain, by personal inspection, whether the premises are occupied and whether a serious impairment to health or safety is likely to result. (5) Service shall not be terminated, disconnected or suspended if it appears that any resident would suffer a serious impairment to health or safety. In such situations, the utility shall transmit an oral or written notification to the local social services agency that explains fully the nature of the serious impairment to health or safety, including the basis for the determination that the customer is unable to protect himself or herself from neglect or hazardous situations without assistance from others.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.