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Bill

S 4359

Establishes certain water and wastewater utility shutoff protections for tenants.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Teresa Ruiz

The bill protects tenants from water and wastewater shutoffs for nonpayment, ensuring continued access to essential services.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4359

Bill Summary: S 4359 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Purpose and intent

S 4359 seeks to establish protections for tenants regarding shutoffs of water and wastewater services. The bill aims to limit or prohibit disconnections by utilities for nonpayment in certain circumstances, ensuring continued access to essential water services for tenants and reducing the risk of service interruptions that can affect health, housing stability, and daily needs.

Key provisions and changes (as introduced)

  • Protection scope: Applies to water and wastewater utility services provided to tenants and their residences. The bill creates criteria under which shutoffs are restricted or prohibited.
  • Nonpayment relief window: Establishes specific periods or conditions during which utility shutoffs are not permitted due to nonpayment, potentially including notifications, grace periods, and opportunities to cure delinquency.
  • Notice and dispute processes: May require utilities to provide tenants with advance, clear notices about impending shutoffs, including information on how to request reviews or dispute billing, and possible escalation channels.
  • Late payment and arrears handling: Could address how arrears are treated (e.g., phased repayment plans, caps on late fees, or limits on how rapidly balances may accrue during protections).
  • Emergency or hardship exemptions: May designate circumstances (such as health-related or household hardship) in which protections are enhanced or continue to apply.
  • Landlord/tenant coordination: Likely outlines roles or responsibilities for landlords to assist tenants in maintaining service or accessing available assistance programs.
  • Rulemaking and enforcement: Might authorize state agencies to issue rules, monitor compliance, and enforce the provisions, including penalties for violation.
  • Duration and sunsets: Specifies the effective date and any sunset provisions or renewal mechanisms for the protections.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Tenants renting dwellings who rely on municipal, regional, or private water and wastewater utilities.
  • Utilities affected: Water and wastewater providers operating within New Jersey, subject to the new prohibitions or restrictions on shutoffs.
  • Landlords/property managers: May need to coordinate with tenants and utilities to maintain service and comply with notice requirements.
  • State agencies: Potential roles for consumer protection, utilities regulation, or housing agencies to implement, monitor, and enforce the provisions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate and referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee (as of 2026-05-28).
  • Sponsor: Primary sponsor is unspecified in the action history, with a listed co-sponsor: Teresa Ruiz.
  • Next steps (typical process): If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, floor votes in the Senate, and then onward to the Assembly (or concurrent consideration as applicable) before any potential enactment. Implementation would follow any final enacted date and any required regulatory guidance.

Practical considerations for readers

  • The bill addresses a critical public health and housing stability issue by safeguarding access to essential water services for tenants.
  • It may interact with existing state programs that assist with utility bills or provide emergency relief, and could require coordination with social services and housing agencies.
  • If enacted, utilities would need to align billing, notification, and payment-plan policies with the new protections, potentially affecting collections practices and revenue timing.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated scope and typical provisions for this policy area based on its title and introductory action. For exact language, thresholds, definitions, and enforcement mechanisms, refer to the official bill text and any subsequent amendments from the legislative record.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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