Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Requires electric public utilities to conduct wellness checks in age-restricted communities during power outages.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning wellness checks in certain communities during power outages and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
Age-restricted community means a planned real estate development, as defined in section 3 of P.L.1977, c.419 (C.45:22A-23), consisting of dwelling units governed by a common set of rules, regulations, or restrictions intended and operated for persons 55 years of age or older.
Electric public utility or utility means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes electricity to end users within this State.
Medical device means any device as defined in subsection (h) of 21 U.S.C. s.321 for use by a person.
Power outage means a disruption in service provided by an electric public utility.
Powered medical device means any medical device that requires electricity to operate and is necessary for sustaining the health and safety of a person. Powered medical device includes, but is not limited to, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and dialysis machines.
Wellness check means a visit or telephone call conducted by a law enforcement officer, social worker, or designated caregiver to ensure that a person who relies on a powered medical device is safe and is able to use the powered medical device, if necessary.
b. In the event of a power outage, the utility responsible for providing the electric service interrupted by the power outage shall, on a daily basis until the resolution of the power outage:
(1) in coordination with county officials if applicable, identify and maintain a confidential registry of residents in age-restricted communities who rely on powered medical devices, which registry shall be updated at least annually;
(2) within one hour of the onset of a power outage, prioritize the restoration of power to those individuals on the registry created pursuant to this section; and
(3) if restoration of power is not possible within four hours of the onset of the power outage:
(a) conduct or cause to be conducted a wellness check on individuals listed in the registry created pursuant to this section, ensuring the individuals have access to backup power or alternative accommodations; and
(b) if after conducting a wellness check, the utility knows that a person listed in the registry created pursuant to this section does not have access to backup power or alternative accommodations, provide backup power supplies, such as portable generators or battery packs, or assist in relocating individuals to facilities with power if necessary.
c. Electric public utilities shall collaborate with county officials, local emergency services, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure the wellness checks meet the requirements of this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires, in the event of a power outage, the electric public utility (utility) responsible for providing the electric service interrupted by the power outage to conduct or cause to be conducted a wellness check on persons with powered medical devices in affected age-restricted communities in collaboration with county officials, if applicable, until the resolution of the power outage.
Under the bill, utilities, in coordination with county officials if applicable, are required to identify and maintain a confidential registry of residents in age-restricted communities who rely on powered medical devices. This registry is required to be updated at least annually. Additionally, within one hour of the onset of a power outage, the utility is required to prioritize the restoration of power to those individuals on the registry created pursuant to the bill.
If restoration of power is not possible within four hours, the utility is required to: (1) conduct or cause to be conducted a wellness check on individuals listed in the registry to ensure the individuals have access to backup power or alternative accommodations; and (2) if after conducting a wellness check, the utility knows that a person listed in the registry does not have access to backup power or alternative accommodations, the utility is required to provide backup power supplies, such as portable generators or battery packs, or assist in relocating individuals to facilities with power if necessary.
The bill requires utilities to collaborate with county officials, local emergency services, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure the wellness checks meet the requirements of the bill.