Md. Code Regs. 20.31.02.04 - Termination with 7 Days Notice

A. Electric service, gas service, or both, may be terminated in accordance with this regulation, if service at a dwelling unit has been secured in any manner described below:

(1) Application was made in a fictitious name;

(2) Application was made in the name of an individual who is not an occupant of the dwelling unit, without disclosure of the individual's actual address;

(3) Application was made in the name of a third party without disclosing that fact or without bona fide authority from the third party;

(4) Application was made without disclosure of a material fact or by misrepresentation of a material fact;

(5) Application was made for connection of service to a dwelling where there are co-occupants, if a service account for that dwelling unit was previously maintained in a current co-occupant's name during a period of co-occupancy with the applicant and the co-occupant has failed to pay or make satisfactory arrangements to pay an outstanding bill or undisputed portion of a disputed bill for service at the dwelling unit, the collection of which is not barred under applicable State or federal law;

(6) Application was made for connection of service to a dwelling unit where there are co-occupants, if the service account at a prior dwelling unit of the applicant was listed in a current co-occupant's name, and the co-occupant has failed to pay or to make satisfactory arrangement to pay an outstanding bill or undisputed portion of a disputed bill for service at the prior dwelling unit, the collection of which is not barred under applicable State or federal law; or

(7) Application was made by an individual for the purpose of assisting another occupant of a dwelling unit to avoid payment of that occupant's prior outstanding bill.

B. For purposes of this regulation, "co-occupants" means two or more adults who occupy the same dwelling unit as their primary domicile or legal residence within the State.

C. If service at a dwelling unit was secured in any manner described in §A of this regulation, the utility may give 7 days notice that the service will be terminated, and may then proceed to terminate service subject to the provisions of §E of this regulation. The notice shall state:

(1) The manner in which service was secured;

(2) The approximate time period during which the service was used;

(3) A summary of the facts or circumstances upon which the utility bases its determination that a termination is warranted; and

(4) The amount of any outstanding bill.

D. If a bona fide occupant of the premises subject to termination under this regulation is seriously ill, the provisions of COMAR 20.31.03.01R estrictions for Serious Illness and Life-Support Equipment, shall supersede the provisions of this regulation.

E. If a customer disputes the proposed termination, the customer shall do so in accordance with the provisions of COMAR 20.32.01.

Notes

Md. Code Regs. 20.31.02.04

Regulation .04 amended effective April 21, 1986 (13:8 Md. R. 904); July 28, 1986 (13:15 Md. R. 1736)
Regulation .04A amended effective May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 780)
Regulation .04E amended effective August 6, 1990 (17:15 Md. R. 1862)