Section 48-A - Utility services; domestic violence victims1. Every utility corporation shall allow a person who is under a shared contract with such utility corporation to opt-out of such contract without fee, penalty or charge when such person is a victim of domestic violence and provides an attestation in writing that they no longer wish to be a party to such contract due to their status as a victim of domestic violence. Such utility corporation may not require such person to disclose confidential information or details relating to such person's status as a victim of domestic violence, as a condition of permitting such person to opt-out of such contract. Further, such utility corporation may not make release from such contract contingent on: (a) maintaining contractual or billing responsibility of a separated account with the provider; (b) approval of separation by the primary account holder, if the primary account holder is not the person making such request; or (c) a prohibition or limitation on the separation as a result of arrears accrued by the account. Such utility corporation shall release such person from such contract no later than seven days after receiving such opt-out request. Such utility corporation shall dispose of information submitted by such person no later than thirty days after receiving such information in a manner as to maintain confidentiality of such information.
2. Every utility corporation shall make information about the options and process described in subdivision one of this section readily available to customers on the website and any mobile application of such utility corporation, and in other forms of public-facing customer communication.3. A covered provider and any officer, director, employee, vendor or agent thereof shall not be subject to liability for any claims arising from an action taken or omission made with respect to compliance with this section.N.Y. Pub. Serv. Law § 48-A
Amended by New York Laws 2023, ch. 42,Secs. 1, 6 eff. 6/30/2023.Added by New York Laws 2022, ch. 578,Sec. 1, eff. 6/30/2023, op. contracts entered into on and after 6/30/2023.Repealed by New York Laws 2022, ch. 578,Sec. 1, eff. 10/18/2022.Added by New York Laws 2021, ch. 517,Sec. 1, eff. 10/28/2021.