The "Water Shutoff Protection Act" is designed to regulate retail water service providers in Michigan, focusing on the protection of vulnerable populations from water service shutoffs due to nonpayment. The bill introduces key definitions such as "critical care customer," "delinquency," and "water affordability program," which are crucial for understanding the protections offered to individuals with medical needs or low incomes. It mandates that providers must notify customers multiple times about delinquent accounts and available payment plans before any shutoff occurs, and it explicitly prohibits shutoffs for critical care customers and those enrolled in water affordability programs.

Additionally, the bill ensures that eligible customers in a water affordability program cannot have their service terminated if the Department of Treasury finds that funding for the program is insufficient. It empowers the Attorney General and residential customers to enforce the act through civil action, allowing for the pursuit of damages and attorney fees for violations. The legislation also emphasizes equal access to information for customers with limited English proficiency and restricts political subdivisions from creating conflicting regulations. The act is set to take effect two years after its enactment, pending the passage of related legislation.