65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 291, § 13

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 407-291-13 - MEDICAL EMERGENCY
A.Service required during a medical emergency. A non-ETC may not disconnect basic service to a residential customer when the customer or an occupant of the customer's residence is certified by a physician to have a medical condition such that a lack of basic service would posea serious risk of harm to that individual. In situations where the household has multiple telephone lines, basic service may be disconnected pursuant to section 12 of this rule, provided that basic service continues in at least one telephone line.
B.Disconnection postponed pending certification. If the customer or member of the household notifies the non-ETC that a medical emergency exists and that certification will be obtained, the non-ETC may not disconnect basic service for at least 3 business days. If the certification is not provided within the 3-day period, the non-ETC may subsequently disconnect the customer's service or it may transfer the customer to an ETC in accordance with this section.
C.Certification procedure. A physician's certification of a medical emergency may be oral or written. For purposes of this section, a "physician" is any person licensed by Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine, his or her agent, or any Maine-licensed mental health counselor. The non-ETC may require written confirmation within 7 days of an oral certification.
D.Non-ETC may transfer customer to ETC. If a physician has certified that a medical emergency exists, a non-ETC may transfer the customer's basic service to an ETC. The non-ETC shall waive any charges associated with the transfer and shall pay the ETC its non-recurring service installation costs for the transferred customer. The non-ETC shall also notify the customer when the transfer is complete.
E.Length of service; renewals. A non-ETC may not disconnect the customer for the time period specified in the certification or 60 days, whichever is less. A certification may be renewed for additional periods of up to 60 days each as long as the medical emergency continues.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 291, § 13