(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Eligible residential customer” means a residential electric or gas customer who is:
(i) employed by the federal or State government or a local government in the State; and
(ii) involuntarily furloughed from work without pay because of a government shutdown, regardless of whether the employee is required to report to work during the furlough.
(3) “Government shutdown” means a government shutdown that:
(i) occurs when government funding is unavailable to operate the governmental activities due to the lack of a legislative appropriation or a continuing resolution; and
(ii) lasts for a period that exceeds 7 consecutive days.
(b) A public service company may not terminate electric or gas service to an eligible residential customer for nonpayment on a day that a government shutdown is in effect and for 7 days after the government shutdown has ended if the customer contacts the public service company before the date of termination to:
(1) provide verification that the customer is an employee of the federal, State, or local government affected by the government shutdown; and
(2) enter into a payment plan to pay any outstanding amount on the customer’s account after the government shutdown ends.
(c) The Commission may adopt regulations to implement this section.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Division I - Public Services and Utilities
Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies
Subtitle 3 - Consumer Relations
Section 7-301 - Meters -- Authorization by Commission
Section 7-302 - Meters -- Inspection
Section 7-303 - Submetering -- Apartment House and Commercial Building
Section 7-304 - Energy Allocation Equipment -- Apartments
Section 7-305 - Customer Billing
Section 7-306 - Net Energy Metering
Section 7-306.1 - Interconnection Agreement for Installation of Solar Electric Generating Facility
Section 7-306.2 - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Pilot Program
Section 7-307 - Termination of Service to Low Income Customers
Section 7-307.1 - Termination of Electric and Gas Service in Extreme Temperatures
Section 7-307.2 - Default in Payment for Electric, Gas, Sewer and Water Service
Section 7-307.3 - Termination of Service to Multifamily Dwelling Unit
Section 7-307.4 - Termination of Service to Involuntarily Furloughed Federal Employees
Section 7-308 - Natural Gas Vehicles
Section 7-309 - Tenant's Paying of Utility Bills Owed by Landlord
Section 7-310 - Retail Choice Customer Education and Protection Fund
Section 7-311 - Training and Educational Program -- Electricity and Gas Suppliers
Section 7-312 - Billing Information Provided Upon Request -- Form of Information