Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 815 - CONSUMER PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR ELECTRIC AND GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES › Section 407-815-11 - CONTINUATION OF UTILITY SERVICE IS REQUIRED FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WITH A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Basic
				service is required for residential customers when a medical emergency
				necessitates a continuation of service
A utility may not disconnect service or refuse to reconnect
				  service to any residential customer when the customer or an occupant of the
				  customer's residence is certified by a physician or the physician's agent or
				  designee to have a medical emergency. If a utility discovers after a
				  disconnection of service that the customer or an occupant of the customer's
				  residence is certified by a physician or the physician's agent or designee to
				  have a medical emergency, the utility must reconnect the service pursuant to
				  subsection D, provided the customer is eligible for a medical emergency
				  declaration pursuant to subsection E.
B.
Disconnection postponed pending
				certification
If the customer or member of the customer's household
				  notifies the utility that the customer or an occupant of the customer's
				  residence has a medical emergency and that certification of the medical
				  emergency will be obtained, the utility may not disconnect service for at least
				  three business days. The effective period of a pending disconnection notice can
				  be extended to accommodate this three-day period if the utility notified the
				  customer of the extension at the time the utility was notified of the medical
				  emergency.
C.
Certification procedure
A physician's certification of a medical emergency may be
				  oral or written. A utility may not challenge the validity of an oral or written
				  certification with a physician or a physician's agent, unless the utility has
				  reason to believe that fraudulent information has been provided by the
				  customer. If the utility has reason to believe that certification is not valid,
				  it should file a request for an exemption of this Section with the CASD. The
				  utility may require written confirmation within seven days of an oral
				  certification. The utility may require that a written certification include the
				  following if the utility provides a form for the physician to complete:
1. The name and service location of the
				customer (to be provided by the utility).
2. The name and address of the person with
				the medical emergency.
3. A
				statement that a serious illness or medical condition exists which would be
				seriously aggravated by lack of utility service.
4. The anticipated length of the medical
				emergency.
5. The specific reason
				why continued service is required.
6. The name, office address, telephone number
				and signature of the certifying physician.
If the written certification is not provided within the seven
				  day period, the utility may proceed with disconnection if the pending
				  disconnection notice is still effective or may pursue disconnection pursuant to
				  Section
				  10(D)(3) if the
				  pending disconnection notice has expired.