N.Y. Public Service Law § 48-a: Utility services; domestic violence victims

§ 48-a. Utility services; domestic violence victims. 1. Every utility

corporation shall allow a person who is under a shared contract with

such utility corporation to opt-out of such contract without fee,

penalty or charge when such person is a victim of domestic violence and

provides an attestation in writing that they no longer wish to be a

party to such contract due to their status as a victim of domestic

violence. Such utility corporation may not require such person to

disclose confidential information or details relating to such person's

status as a victim of domestic violence, as a condition of permitting

such person to opt-out of such contract. Further, such utility

corporation may not make release from such contract contingent on: (a)

maintaining contractual or billing responsibility of a separated account

with the provider; (b) approval of separation by the primary account

holder, if the primary account holder is not the person making such

request; or (c) a prohibition or limitation on the separation as a

result of arrears accrued by the account. Such utility corporation shall

release such person from such contract no later than seven days after

receiving such opt-out request. Such utility corporation shall dispose

of information submitted by such person no later than thirty days after

receiving such information in a manner as to maintain confidentiality of

such information.

2. Every utility corporation shall make information about the options

and process described in subdivision one of this section readily

available to customers on the website and any mobile application of such

utility corporation, and in other forms of public-facing customer

communication.

3. A covered provider and any officer, director, employee, vendor or

agent thereof shall not be subject to liability for any claims arising

from an action taken or omission made with respect to compliance with

this section.