NAC704.370. Termination of service: Postponement when dangerous to health.

     1. A utility shall postpone the termination of service to a customer for 30 days after the day on which it receives both of the following:

     (a) A statement from a licensed physician or public health official certifying that any termination of service would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer or another person who is a permanent resident of the premises where service is being provided and would constitute an emergency affecting the health of the person. The physician or health official may consider the feebleness, advanced age, physical disability, mental incapacity, serious illness or other infirmity of the person affected. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the statement must be in writing and include:

          (1) The address where service is provided;

          (2) The name of the person whose health would be especially endangered;

          (3) A clear description of the nature of the emergency; and

          (4) The name, title and signature of the physician or official certifying the emergency.

Ê The statement may be made by telephone if a written statement is sent for confirmation to the utility within 5 days after the oral statement is made.

     (b) A statement signed by the customer:

          (1) That the customer is unable to pay for service in accordance with the requirements of the utility’s billing; or

          (2) That the customer is able to pay for service only in installments. The utility shall allow an installment period of up to 90 days for the customer to pay the bills of the customer.

     2. The postponement may be extended for an additional 30 days if the utility receives a renewed medical certificate before the expiration of the original period of postponement.

     3. If a utility again intends to terminate service after a customer has obtained a postponement pursuant to subsection 1, the utility shall give written notice of its intended action:

     (a) To the Division;

     (b) To the customer and to any other person who is required to receive notice pursuant to NAC 704.360 or 704.365; and

     (c) To governmental agencies or other organizations which have notified the utility that they will assist customers in paying their utility bills.

     4. Before the period of postponement expires, the customer must arrange with the utility to pay the bills of the customer in accordance with its applicable rules.

     [Pub. Service Comm’n, Gen. Order 27 § 5.1, eff. 8-21-81]—(NAC A 1-5-89; A by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R198-01, 2-17-2005)