Chapter 447
2016 -- H 7459 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/12/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- PUBLIC UTILITIES

Introduced By: Representatives Amore, Costa, Fogarty, Maldonado, and Kazarian
Date Introduced: February 04, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-35 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
     11-35-20.1. Wrongful termination or disruption of service. -- (a) Any person who has
been served an order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 who
causes the interruption of any utility service by false presentation or other means at the residence
of the person(s) protected by a protective order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or
chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 shall constitute harassment.
     (b) Any person subject to an order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5
or 15 of title 15 who wishes to remove their name from a utility bill and terminate their future
financial responsibility for making payments on that bill must first seek approval from the court
that issued the protective order.
     (1) The court shall not allow any person, upon his or her own motion, to remove his or
her name from a utility bill and terminate their financial responsibility with respect to the utility
bill without first ensuring that the preexisting balance owed to the utility has been satisfied and
that the person(s) covered by the protective order is able to establish an account under his or her
own name without the need to make a deposit that causes hardship, and is capable of fulfilling
their financial obligations towards the utility in the future.
     (c) Nothing in this section shall prevent a person protected by an order issued pursuant to
chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 from transferring a utility bill into his or her
name and assuming any and all obligations to the utility.
     (d) Any person who shall wrongfully terminate or disrupt any utility service in violation
of this section shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars ($500).
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004005/SUB A
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