SF 2752

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 09/03/2014 09:10am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; utilities; modifying residential customer protections pertaining
to medically necessary equipment; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section
216B.098, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.098, subdivision 5, is amended to
read:

Subd. 5.

Medically necessary equipment.

new text begin (a) new text end A utility shall reconnect or
continue service to a customer's residence where a medical emergency exists or where
medical equipment requiring electricity necessary to sustain life is in use, provided that
the utility receives deleted text begin from a medical doctor deleted text end written certification, or initial certification by
telephone and written certification within five business days, that failure to reconnect or
continue service will impair or threaten the health or safety of a resident of the customer's
household. deleted text begin The customer must enter into a payment agreement.
deleted text end

new text begin (b) Certification of the necessity for service is required. Certification may be
provided by:
new text end

new text begin (1) a licensed medical doctor;
new text end

new text begin (2) a licensed or registered physician's assistant;
new text end

new text begin (3) a licensed or registered nurse practitioner; or
new text end

new text begin (4) a registered nurse, but only to the extent of verifying the current diagnosis or
prescriptions made by a licensed medical doctor for the customer or member of the
customer's household.
new text end

new text begin (c) The certification must indicate the estimated duration of the need for service, but
in no case may the certification extend beyond six months from the date of the certification.
new text end

new text begin (d) Certifications may not extend beyond six months from the date of the
certification unless a utility determines, at its sole discretion, that a 12-month certification
is appropriate given a particular customer's circumstances. A certification is eligible for
renewal subject to paragraphs (b) and (c).
new text end

new text begin (e) A certification may be renewed by the same or another medical professional who
meets the qualifications of paragraph (b), subject to paragraphs (c) and (f).
new text end

new text begin (f) A customer in arrears must contact and enter into a payment agreement with the
utility. The payment agreement must consider a customer's financial circumstances and
any extenuating circumstances of the household. The payment agreement may, at the
discretion of the utility, contain an arrears forgiveness component which, if implemented,
extinguishes individual liability for the amount forgiven.
new text end