1. (a) Suspension date and time requirements.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) A utility may suspend service only during normal utility business office hours.
      2. (B) However, no suspension shall occur during the last hour of the utility’s normal business office hours.
   2. (2) A utility may not suspend service on a day, or on a day immediately before a day, when the utility does not have employees available who may authorize and reconnect service at the normal business day charge.
   3. (3) If a utility issues more than one (1) shut-off notice before suspending service, it may not suspend service before the close of business on the last day to pay as printed on the most recent shut-off notice unless 23 CAR § 455-604(b) applies.

   4. (4) A utility must suspend service within thirty (30) days after the last day to pay, as printed on the most recent shut-off notice, unless:

      1. (A) Suspension is delayed under other Arkansas Public Service Commission rules; or
      2. (B) The reason for the suspension has been eliminated.

2. (b) Suspension procedures at the premises.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Utility employees shall not violate any state or federal laws or regulations in order to suspend service.
      2. (B) Utility employees suspending service at a customer’s premises shall:

3. (i) Identify themselves to the customer or any other adult at the premises; and

   1. (ii) Give the reason for being there.

      1. (C) If the customer offers to make a payment, the utility employee shall accept payment at that time.
      2. (D) The utility employee shall also honor a receipt from the utility or a canceled check showing that the customer paid the bill.
      3. (E) Utility employees may refuse payment in cash if they give the customer twenty-four (24) hours to pay at the business office.
      4. (F) The employee may refuse payment by check if the customer has given the utility two (2) checks that were returned for reasons other than bank error within the last year.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) If the customer or other adult is not at the premises or does not respond, the utility employee must leave a notice in a conspicuous place so that the notice is easy to see.

      2. (B) The notice shall contain the following:

         1. (i) A statement that service has been suspended;
         2. (ii) The reason for the suspension;
         3. (iii) The address and telephone number where the customer may arrange to have service reconnected;
         4. (iv) The amount past due;
         5. (v) Any approved collection charge; and
         6. (vi) The action and payment necessary before the utility will reconnect service.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 6.09 of the General Service Rules prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.