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3228
LAWS OF MARYLAND
Ch. 667
CHAPTER 667
(House Bill 1080)
AN ACT concerning
Gas and Electric Companies - Service Terminations
FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain public service companies
from terminating certain services to certain customers
during certain periods; requiring that the Public Service
Commission consult with the Maryland Department of Human
Resources and adopt, by a certain date, rules and
regulations to identify customers to whom this Act applies;
requiring that the Public Service Commission make certain
reports to the General Assembly at certain times; and
generally relating to the termination of certain services by
certain public service companies.
FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission to
adopt, by a certain date, regulations relating to the
termination of utility service to certain persons during a
certain period; requiring the Commission to consider certain
factors in adopting the regulations; and requiring the
Commission to submit an annual report to the General
Assembly regarding utility service terminations.
BY adding to
Article 78 - Public Service Commission Law
Section 54J
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1980 Replacement Volume and 1983 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article 78 - Public Service Commission Law
54J.
(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECOGNIZES THAT A CONTINUOUS
SOURCE OF GAS AND ELECTRICITY IS INDISPENSABLE TO PROTECT LIFE
AND PROPERTY, THE DENIAL OF WHICH CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS
DISRUPTION IN THE NORMAL PATTERNS OF DAILY LIFE OF MARYLAND
CITIZENS. THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ENERGY COSTS FOR HOUSEHOLD
PURPOSES HAS MADE MANY LOW INCOME PERSONS UNABLE TO AFFORD THESE
NECESSITIES OF LIFE. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER RECOGNIZES
THAT TERMINATION OF UTILITY SERVICE DURING THE HEATING SEASON
POSES AN ESPECIALLY SERIOUS RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY.
(B) DURING THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH MARCH 31 OF
EACH YEAR, A GAS COMPANY, AN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OR A GAS AND
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