New Jersey Senate Bill S760

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires electric public utility to reimburse customer for cost of spoiled food and prescription medicine resulting from service outage more than 48 hours after end of storm.

Impact

If enacted, SB 760 will require electric public utilities to enhance their customer service policies, ensuring that systems are in place to process reimbursement claims for spoiled goods. The requirement for utilities to develop an online submission system within 90 days aims to streamline the claim process for affected customers. This legislation underscores the importance of utility accountability in the wake of environmental factors that may disrupt service, highlighting the need for robust customer support during outages.

Summary

Senate Bill 760, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, mandates that electric public utilities reimburse customers for the cost of food and prescription medicine that spoil due to a sustained power outage lasting more than 48 hours following a major event, such as severe weather. The intent behind this bill is to provide financial relief to residents affected by prolonged power interruptions, particularly in cases where perishable items are lost. Utilities will be required to establish a reimbursement process to facilitate customer claims within a specified timeframe after the bill takes effect.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB 760 may include concerns regarding the potential financial burden on electric utilities, especially during large-scale outages caused by major events. Utilities might argue about the implications of this law on their operational costs and the feasibility of establishing comprehensive systems for handling claims. Furthermore, there may be debates about the adequacy of the defined parameters around 'sustained interruptions' and whether the criteria for major events could be expanded to ensure broader protections for consumers.