Committee hears update on H.753 disconnection bill; Senate discussed broadened protections and PUC concerns

Legislative Counsel Maria Royal briefed the committee on H.753, the bill addressing utility disconnections and protections for vulnerable populations. She said Finance considered proposed revisions but did not vote; the bill remains in committee.

Royal summarized Senate discussion points: expanding the Department of Public Service’s assessment of disconnections to evaluate harms when households lack physician certificates and whether people are limited in accessing certificates; considering curtailment protections during high‑heat events; and whether lower thresholds similar to winter protections for people aged 62 and older should be extended to households with young children or pregnant people.

She said PUC staff expressed concern about language that would require the commission to make medical judgments and the Senate language was broadened to require the PUC to consider medical judgment rather than to make specific determinations. The committee had no formal vote and Royal said she could not report unanimous support for the amendments.

Next steps
The bill remains in Finance for further consideration and is not currently on the committee’s agenda for immediate floor action; staff said they would monitor for further movement.