Prohibits utility service terminations in multiple dwellings

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Prohibits disconnections of essential utilities in multi-dwelling buildings, shielding tenants from shutoffs and guiding landlords and utilities to ensure ongoing service.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

Overview

Bill Number: A 8712

Title: Prohibits utility service terminations in multiple dwellings

Sponsor: Linda Rosenthal (primary)

Status: Referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions committee

Introduced: June 2, 2025

Related: S 8118 (companion bill)

Note: The available information does not include the full text of the bill. The summary below reflects the bill’s stated title and basic procedural status. Details such as precise definitions, exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and effective date would be found in the bill’s actual language.

What the bill would do (as inferred from the title)

Prohibit the termination (disconnection) of utility services for residents in buildings with multiple dwellings.

The prohibition would apply to utilities typically essential to habitability and safety (e.g., electricity, gas, water), though the exact scope would be defined in the bill’s text.

The policy aim appears to be protecting tenants from loss of essential services in multi-unit housing.

Key provisions and changes (to be confirmed in the full text)

At this stage, the following elements are common in bills of this type and would be clarified in the official text:
- Definitions: What counts as a “multiple dwelling,” and which utilities are covered.
- Exemptions: Possible circumstances when terminations could still occur (e.g., safety hazards, imminent danger, nonpayment after required notice and available payment plans, emergency situations).
- Notice and cure periods: Requirements for notices to tenants, opportunities to remedy nonpayment, and any grace periods.
- Enforcement: Which agency or agencies oversee compliance and how violations are addressed.
- Remedies: Penalties for violations and possible tenant remedies.
- Effective date: When the prohibition would take effect and any phase-in period.
- Transition: How existing terminations or ongoing shut-offs would be handled.

Who would be affected

Tenants residing in multi-dwelling buildings, who would gain protections against utility terminations.

Landlords, property managers, and building owners who operate or manage multi-unit properties.

Utility providers, subject to new prohibitions and compliance requirements.

Potential state or local enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions committee on June 2, 2025.

Companion bill: S 8118 (existence of a Senate counterpart suggests cross-chamber consideration).

Next steps typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Assembly and Senate, followed by reconciliation if there are differences between the two chambers.

Potential impact and considerations

Positive: Enhanced housing stability for tenants, reduced risk of displacement due to utility shut-offs, particularly for low- and moderate-income households.

Considerations: Potential impact on utility revenue collection and on payment enforcement, enforcement mechanisms, and the availability of alternative protections or payment plans for residents.

For readers seeking specifics, the next step would be to review the bill’s full text once available, which will define definitions, exemptions, enforcement processes, and timeline details.

Bill