Bill Text: MN SF2752 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Medically necessary equipment residential customer energy connection protections modifications
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-24 - Second reading [SF2752 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF2752-Engrossed.html
1.2relating to energy; utilities; modifying residential customer protections pertaining
1.3to medically necessary equipment;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section
1.4216B.098, subdivision 5.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.098, subdivision 5, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 5. Medically necessary equipment. (a) A utility shall reconnect or
1.9continue service to a customer's residence where a medical emergency exists or where
1.10medical equipment requiring electricity necessary to sustain life is in use, provided that
1.11the utility receivesfrom a medical doctor written certification, or initial certification by
1.12telephone and written certification within five business days, that failure to reconnect or
1.13continue service will impair or threaten the health or safety of a resident of the customer's
1.14household.The customer must enter into a payment agreement.
1.15(b) Certification of the necessity for service is required. Certification may be
1.16provided by:
1.17(1) a licensed medical doctor;
1.18(2) a licensed or registered physician's assistant;
1.19(3) a licensed or registered nurse practitioner; or
1.20(4) a registered nurse, but only to the extent of verifying the current diagnosis or
1.21prescriptions made by a licensed medical doctor for the customer or member of the
1.22customer's household.
1.23(c) The certification must indicate the estimated duration of the need for service, but
1.24in no case may the certification extend beyond six months from the date of the certification.
2.1(d) Certifications may not extend beyond six months from the date of the
2.2certification unless a utility determines, at its sole discretion, that a 12-month certification
2.3is appropriate given a particular customer's circumstances. A certification is eligible for
2.4renewal subject to paragraphs (b) and (c).
2.5(e) A certification may be renewed by the same or another medical professional who
2.6meets the qualifications of paragraph (b), subject to paragraphs (c) and (f).
2.7(f) A customer in arrears must contact and enter into a payment agreement with the
2.8utility. The payment agreement must consider a customer's financial circumstances and
2.9any extenuating circumstances of the household. The payment agreement may, at the
2.10discretion of the utility, contain an arrears forgiveness component which, if implemented,
2.11extinguishes individual liability for the amount forgiven.
1.3to medically necessary equipment;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section
1.4216B.098, subdivision 5.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.098, subdivision 5, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 5. Medically necessary equipment. (a) A utility shall reconnect or
1.9continue service to a customer's residence where a medical emergency exists or where
1.10medical equipment requiring electricity necessary to sustain life is in use, provided that
1.11the utility receives
1.12telephone and written certification within five business days, that failure to reconnect or
1.13continue service will impair or threaten the health or safety of a resident of the customer's
1.14household.
1.15(b) Certification of the necessity for service is required. Certification may be
1.16provided by:
1.17(1) a licensed medical doctor;
1.18(2) a licensed or registered physician's assistant;
1.19(3) a licensed or registered nurse practitioner; or
1.20(4) a registered nurse, but only to the extent of verifying the current diagnosis or
1.21prescriptions made by a licensed medical doctor for the customer or member of the
1.22customer's household.
1.23(c) The certification must indicate the estimated duration of the need for service, but
1.24in no case may the certification extend beyond six months from the date of the certification.
2.1(d) Certifications may not extend beyond six months from the date of the
2.2certification unless a utility determines, at its sole discretion, that a 12-month certification
2.3is appropriate given a particular customer's circumstances. A certification is eligible for
2.4renewal subject to paragraphs (b) and (c).
2.5(e) A certification may be renewed by the same or another medical professional who
2.6meets the qualifications of paragraph (b), subject to paragraphs (c) and (f).
2.7(f) A customer in arrears must contact and enter into a payment agreement with the
2.8utility. The payment agreement must consider a customer's financial circumstances and
2.9any extenuating circumstances of the household. The payment agreement may, at the
2.10discretion of the utility, contain an arrears forgiveness component which, if implemented,
2.11extinguishes individual liability for the amount forgiven.
