1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to consumer protection; establishing criteria for timely utility payments; 
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.098, by adding a subdivision.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.098, is amended by adding a 
1.6 	subdivision to read:
1.7 		Subd. 4a.Timely payments. A public utility using an out-of-state payment site 
1.8 	shall consider the date immediately following the postmark date of a payment sent in the 
1.9 	mail or the date of an electronic payment as an on-time payment. A public utility may 
1.10 	not send a disconnection notice to a residential consumer if the payment is received less 
1.11 	than 31 days past the due date.

1.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.