Rhode Island General Assembly Extends Utility Termination Forbearance for Customers with Serious Illness Certifications

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED, SERIOUSLY ILL, OR IN ARREARS OF PAYMENT (Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.)

Last action · April 7, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Cruz and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

The Rhode Island General Assembly extends the prohibition on utility service terminations for customers who hold s and modifies provisions regarding service cutoffs for disabled individuals and those with past-due balances. This legislation alters regulations governing utility shutoffs and was introduced in the House to be held for further study by committee.

Why it matters

Utility customers with certified serious medical conditions gain prolonged protection from having essential services disconnected while managing payment following committee review.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Utility customers with serious illness certifications

Eligible individuals receive extended forbearance protecting them from utility service terminations.

Directly affected

Disabled utility customers

Rules and protections regarding the termination of utility services for disabled persons are amended.

Directly affected

Utility customers in arrears

Provisions governing service terminations for customers with past-due payment balances are modified.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is protected from utility shutoffs under this bill?

Customers with s, disabled individuals, and customers with payment receive extended protections or amended termination rules.

What is the current status of the bill?

The bill was introduced in the House on February 11, 2026, and on April 7, 2026, the committee recommended the measure be held for further study.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 7, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Apr 3, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/07/2026)
Feb 11, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House Corporations

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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