Sec. 9c.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a provider of electric or gas service shall not discontinue the service to the residence of a qualifying customer who has made a filing under this section.

(2) In addition to protection provided under the Michigan military act, 1967 PA 150, MCL 32.501 to 32.851, a qualifying customer may apply for shut-off protection for electric or gas service by notifying the provider that he or she is in need of assistance because of a reduction in household income as the result of a call to active duty status in the military.

(3) A provider of service may request verification of the call to active duty status from the qualifying customer.

(4) A qualifying customer may receive shut-off protection from the provider of service under this section for up to 90 days. Upon application to the provider, the provider may grant the qualifying customer 1 or more extensions.

(5) A qualifying customer receiving assistance under this section shall notify the provider of the end of the call to active duty status as soon as that status is known.

(6) Unless waived by the provider, the shut-off protection provided under this section does not void or limit the obligation of the qualifying customer to pay for electric or gas services received during the time of assistance.

(7) A provider shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish a repayment plan requiring minimum monthly payments that allows the qualifying customer to pay any past due amounts over a reasonable time period not to exceed 1 year.

(b) Provide a qualifying customer with information regarding any governmental, provider, or other assistance programs.

(c) Provide qualifying customers with access to existing information on ways to minimize or conserve their service usage.

(8) This section does not affect or amend any commission rules or orders pertaining to billing standards. If the terms and conditions under subsection (7)(a) are not followed by the qualifying customer, the provider may follow the procedures in the commission's rules on consumer standards and billing practices for electric and gas residential service.

(9) As used in this section, a “qualifying customer” means all of the following:

(a) A residential household where the income is reduced because the customer of record, or the spouse of the customer of record, is called to full-time active military service by the president of the United States or the governor of this state during a time of declared national or state emergency or war.

(b) Assistance is needed by the residential household to maintain electric and gas service.

(c) The residential household has notified the provider of the need for assistance and, if required, has provided verification of the call to active duty status.

History: Add. 2003, Act 204, Imd. Eff. Nov. 26, 2003