Electrical or gas corporations: deferment of payments: hardship.

Senator Menjivar's utility protection measure would establish new safeguards against service disconnections for California residents experiencing specific hardships. The legislation creates a mandatory six-month payment deferment program for customers enrolled in energy assistance programs who face qualifying difficulties.

Under the proposed framework, utility companies must defer all payments for six months when customers enrolled in either the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or Family Electric Rate Assistance program demonstrate qualifying hardships. These circumstances include death of a household member, recent job loss, medical care needs, or impacts from governor-declared emergencies. Customers can self-certify their hardship status without providing documentation, and utilities cannot charge interest or fees during the deferment period.

The measure requires utilities to automatically enroll customers in arrearage management programs once the deferment expires to address accumulated debt. The California Public Utilities Commission would develop implementing regulations, while violations of the new requirements would constitute criminal offenses under existing utility law. These protections would operate alongside current programs that prevent disconnections for medical baseline customers and those pursuing payment arrangements.