Signed by Governor Matt Meyer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases protections individuals have from utility shutoffs in Delaware.

Highlights:

• Increases protections individuals have from utility shutoffs in Delaware, including (Sec. 1-2):

• Prohibiting a utility company from terminating any services outside the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday;

• Prohibiting a utility company from terminating any services from December 21 of each year to January 1 of the following year;

• Prohibiting a utility company from terminating heating services for nonpayment to a dwelling unit when the temperature is at or below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Prohibiting a utility company from terminating cooling services when the Heat Index is equal to or exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Requiring 14 days' written notice to be given to a dwelling unit before termination of services for nonpayment of bills during the heating or cooling season.

• Requiring the utility company to make at least 3 attempts to contact the occupant of a dwelling unit by telephone, text message, or email before termination of services for nonpayment during the heating season, including one attempt that must be after 5 p.m.;

• Requiring the utility to make at least 1 attempt to contact the occupant of a dwelling unit by telephone, text message, or email before termination of services for nonpayment during the cooling season.

• Requiring that the 14-day written notice include information about payment plans, government assistance programs, and other ways termination of services may be deferred; and

• Imposing a civil penalty of up to $1,000 in place of a misdemeanor.

• Extends and expands the scope of utility termination laws to include the termination of utilities run by municipal electric companies. Municipalities that use municipal electric companies will be responsible for adopting ordinances to enforce utility termination laws within the municipality (Sec. 1-2).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately following 60 days after passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text