Section 2 of this bill requires a public utility, for any notice which is required to be provided to a customer, to make such notice available in English and the three languages other than English that are most commonly spoken in this State, except to a customer who has designated the language in which the customer prefers to receive communications. Section 2 requires the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to adopt regulations as necessary to ensure that customers of a public utility who are persons with limited English proficiency or persons with a communication disability are able to communicate and receive communications in a comprehensible form from the public utilities in this State. Existing regulations prohibit a public utility from providing any information concerning its customers to any person for commercial purposes without the approval of the Commission. (NAC 704.4051) Section 3 of this bill adds this requirement to the Nevada Revised Statutes and additionally requires a public utility to take reasonable steps to ensure that information concerning a customer of a public utility which is disclosed to a third party will not be subject to further disclosure. Existing law requires the Commission to adopt or amend regulations that govern the termination of utility service for gas, water or electricity, including when a public utility is required to postpone the termination of utility service to a residential customer. (NRS 704.1835) Existing regulations govern the termination of such utility service. (NAC 704.350-704.380, inclusive) Section 4 of this bill prohibits a public utility from terminating utility service for gas, water or electricity to a residential customer because of nonpayment: (1) if the outstanding amount owed by the customer is less than $300 or less than 6 months overdue; (2) if at least half of the outstanding amount owed by the customer was paid within the immediately preceding 25 days; (3) on a day, or on the day before a day, on which the office of the utility that accepts or processes payments is closed; (4) without first providing certain notice and information to the customer; and (5) without first applying the amount of any security deposit of the customer towards the outstanding amount. Section 4 prohibits a public utility from terminating electricity service for a residential customer at any time from May 1 through October 31 of each year. Section 4 prohibits a public utility from terminating gas service for a residential customer during certain weather conditions. Section 4 requires a public utility to notify each customer who is elderly or who is a person with a disability that the customer may designate a third person to receive notice of the pending termination of utility service of the customer. Section 4 requires a third person who is designated to receive such notice to receive a duplicate of any written notice and information regarding the termination of utility service for gas, water or electricity that is provided to the customer.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 704.1835
BDR: 704.1835