NAC704.4185. Postponement of termination when dangerous to health.

     1. Unless extraordinary circumstances exist, if the local service of a customer is being terminated, the utility shall postpone the termination for 30 days after it receives both of the following:

     (a) A statement from a licensed physician or public health official certifying that the termination would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer or other person who is a permanent resident of the premises affected. 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 making the statement.

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 that he or she is presently unable to pay the bill or installment. Before the period of postponement expires, the customer must arrange with the utility to pay the bill or installment.

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

     3. The utility shall allow an installment period of up to 90 days for the customer to pay his or her bills. The utility may impose toll restriction upon the customer, for which the customer shall pay the rates and charges set forth in the tariff of the utility.

     4. If the 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; and

     (b) To the customer and any cosigner or guarantor of the customer in the manner provided by NAC 704.4165 and 704.417.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Service Comm’n, eff. 1-5-89)