2008 -- S 2608 AS AMENDED

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LC02293

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO

PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED AND SERIOUSLY ILL

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Miller, Revens, Gibbs, and Moura

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

     Referred To: Senate Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-1.1-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-1.1 entitled

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"Termination of Service to Persons Who Are Disabled and Seriously Ill" is hereby amended to

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read as follows:

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     39-1.1-2.1. Termination of service in residence where infant domiciled Termination

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of service in residence where child domiciled. -- No gas or electric company shall terminate gas

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or electric service in any residence in which there is domiciled a person under the age of twelve

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(12) months two (2) years and the customer's service has not been previously shut off for

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nonpayment before the birth of the child; provided, that the customer cannot afford to pay any

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overdue bill because of financial hardship. The commission shall promulgate such rules and

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regulations consistent with this section as it deems reasonable and necessary to implement the

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provisions of this section. Said rules shall, as a minimum, require certification of such infancy by

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birth certificate or other verifiable certification and that such certification of infancy shall remain

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in effect without renewal until the infant child reaches the age of twelve (12) months two (2)

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years.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02293

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO

PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED AND SERIOUSLY ILL

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     This act would prevent the shut off of gas or electric services in any residence where

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there is a domiciled person under the age of six (6) years.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02293

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