THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION

Each public utility shall permit its customers to designate a consenting individual or agency which is to be sent, by the public utility, a duplicate copy of reminder notices, past due notices, delinquent account notices or termination notices of whatever kind issued by that public utility. When contact with a third party is made, the public utility shall advise the third party of the pending action and the efforts which shall be taken to avoid termination. A public utility shall institute and maintain a program:

1. (1) To allow customers to designate third parties to receive copies of a customer’s or group of customers’ notices of termination of service.
2. (2) To advise customers at least annually of the availability of a third-party notification program and to encourage its use thereof. The public utility shall emphasize that the third party is not responsible for the payment of the customer’s bills.
3. (3) To solicit community groups to accept third-party notices to assist in preventing unnecessary terminations and protecting the public health and safety.
4. (4) To make available a standard enrollment form in compliance with the form in Appendix E (relating to third-party notification).

Authority

The provisions of this § 56.131 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504, 1301, 1305, 1401—1419, 1501 and 1504.

Source

The provisions of this § 56.131 adopted June 16, 1978, effective June 17, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 1655; amended April 8, 1983, effective April 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1250; amended October 7, 2011, effective October 8, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 5473. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (263661) and (339437).

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56 Appendix C (relating to definitions (§ 56.231)).