The bill amends sections 4933.12, 4933.121, and 4933.123 of the Revised Code and enacts new sections 4933.125 through 4933.1211 to protect vulnerable households from the termination of electric or gas services. It specifically prohibits disconnections for households with children under five, seniors over sixty-five, individuals with disabilities or illnesses (with medical confirmation), and pregnant individuals. The bill also establishes a payment plan for eligible customers, allowing them to pay either 7.5% of their monthly net income or one-twelfth of their previous utility bills, whichever is lower. Additionally, it mandates notification to county human services departments about impending service terminations and requires utility companies to inform customers about available state and federal aid for utility bills.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions regarding the costs associated with providing services to residential customers, stating that companies cannot collect costs they are financially responsible for from customers through various charges or fees. It tasks the public utilities commission with adopting rules to implement these new sections and exempts regulatory restrictions from certain sections of the Revised Code, indicating that rules adopted under the new section are not subject to previous regulatory limitations. The bill also repeals the existing sections 4933.12, 4933.121, and 4933.123, streamlining the legal framework surrounding utility service costs and customer payment plans.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4933.12, 4933.121, 4933.123