SECTION 1. Chapter 39-2 of the General Laws entitled "Duties of Utilities and Carriers" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

39-2-23. Safe termination of service -- Qualified employees. -- No gas company, as described in section 39-1-2(20), shall allow their employees to terminate or restore or activate gas services unless those employees have gained relevant experience by working for a gas company at least two (2) years and have been properly trained in the safe termination or activation or restoration of gas services. The same criteria shall also apply to the periodic testing of meters. A certification process of gas service employees shall be established and enforced by the public utilities commission.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.