House Bill No. 5441, reported by the Committee on Energy and Technology, seeks to amend the general statutes regarding utility shutoffs for certain customers, effective July 1, 2024. The bill prevents electric or gas companies, electric suppliers, or municipal utilities from terminating service for residential customers in hardship cases from November 1 to May 1. Hardship cases are defined by criteria such as receiving public assistance, having an income below a certain threshold, or facing deprivation of necessities if required to pay a delinquent bill. The bill also requires utilities to offer reasonable amortization agreements to customers with delinquent accounts, allowing them to apply for energy assistance programs and adjust the agreement if their financial situation changes. Additionally, the bill mandates gas and electric companies to deduct arrearages from eligible customers' accounts without resulting in a credit balance and requires companies to submit an annual implementation plan to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Furthermore, HB5441 requires the development of standard provisions for notices of delinquency and termination of service, ensuring customers are informed of their rights and available energy conservation programs. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is tasked with adopting regulations for determining hardship cases and reasonable amortization agreements, including setting a reasonable interest rate on unpaid balances. The bill allows for amortization agreements to extend up to thirty-six months or longer if necessary and authorizes the chairperson of PURA to distribute funds to assist customers with utility bill payments. The bill includes insertions and deletions to clarify the language regarding service termination for nonpayment in cases of serious illness and the certification process by medical professionals. The bill has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities but may lead to a potential minimal rate decrease for ratepayers due to limitations on shutoff protections.