20VAC5-330-10. Applicability and scope.
This chapter is promulgated pursuant to Chapters 500, 662, and 673 of the 2011 Acts of Assembly and Chapter 637 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly. The provisions in this chapter apply to investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, natural gas utilities, and public utilities providing water or wastewater service. In order to promote public health and safety, this chapter is designed to establish reasonable limitations, consistent with the public interest, on the ability of investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, natural gas utilities, and public utilities providing water or wastewater service to terminate service consistent with §§ 44-146.29:4, 56-245.1:3, and 56-245.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, as applicable, to residential customers who have a serious medical condition or to residential customers who reside with a family member with a serious medical condition and to provide such residential customers adequate time prior to the termination of electric or water service to either enter into a payment plan with the utility or make other arrangements for housing or medical care. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to require an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, natural gas utility, or public utility providing water or wastewater service to terminate service after the expiration of the timelines established in this chapter.
Furthermore, nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, natural gas utility, or public utility providing water or wastewater service from terminating service in the event of an emergency or in the event an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, natural gas utility, or public utility providing water or wastewater service reasonably believes that theft of service or meter tampering has occurred in connection with the service.
Statutory Authority
Chapters 500, 662, and 673 of the 2011 Acts of Assembly; Chapter 637 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. October 31, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 21, eff. July 1, 2025.