The "Water Shutoff Protection Act" is a proposed bill in Michigan designed to regulate retail water service providers and enhance consumer protections, particularly for vulnerable populations. It introduces key definitions such as "critical care customer," "delinquency," and "water affordability program," and establishes strict conditions under which water service can be shut off for nonpayment. Notably, the bill prohibits shutoffs for critical care customers who provide medical documentation, customers enrolled in water affordability programs, and tenants whose landlords are responsible for the water bill. It also requires multiple notifications before any shutoff and mandates that providers delay shutoffs for customers demonstrating financial hardship.

Additionally, the bill ensures that customers participating in water affordability programs are protected from service termination, even if funding for the program is insufficient, and allows for civil actions to be taken by the attorney general or affected customers to enforce compliance. It emphasizes equal language access for customers with limited English proficiency and restricts local governments from creating conflicting regulations. The act is set to take effect two years after its enactment, pending the passage of related legislation.