Requires utility companies or municipalities act with due diligence in providing notice to tenants of multiple dwellings about gas, electric or steam services being shut off

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Requires utilities or municipalities to notify tenants in multi-dwelling buildings before gas, electric, or steam shutoffs, with a due-diligence standard to help tenants plan.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

Overview

Bill A 9275, introduced on November 21, 2025, seeks to require utility companies or municipalities to act with due diligence in notifying tenants of multi-dwelling buildings when gas, electric, or steam services are being shut off. The bill is currently in the legislative process, having been referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

Purpose and Intent

To improve tenant protections by ensuring that residents in buildings with multiple dwellings receive timely notice before utility shutoffs.

To establish a standard of “due diligence” for notification, with the goal of reducing sudden service interruptions and allowing tenants to prepare or seek assistance as needed.

Key Provisions (as introduced)

Responsibility for Notice: Utilities or municipalities would be required to notify tenants in multi-dwelling buildings about impending shutoffs for gas, electric, or steam services.

Standard of Care: The bill emphasizes acting with due diligence in providing such notices, though the specific methodologies, timelines, and requirements would be detailed in the full text.

Recipients: The intended recipients of the notices are tenants in buildings with multiple dwellings; the bill would define the notices’ content and delivery methods in the enacted text.

Implementation Details: Exact notice periods, formats (e.g., written notices, postings, electronic notices), language accessibility, and exemptions (if any) are not specified in the information available and would be set forth in the bill’s full text.

Affected Parties

Primary: Tenants residing in multi-dwelling buildings who would receive notices about shutoffs.

Implementers: Utility companies and municipalities responsible for issuing notices under the bill.

Indirectly affected: Building owners or managers who coordinate with utilities may be impacted by the notice requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction: November 21, 2025.

Status: Referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions (as of the latest action).

Next steps would typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in each house, followed by potential enactment and signing into law if passed.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Positive: Enhanced tenant awareness, better planning opportunities, and potential reductions in emergency shutoffs.

Costs and Compliance: Utilities and municipalities may incur administrative costs to implement notice procedures; practical considerations include ensuring notices reach all tenants (e.g., multilingual formats, accessible formats).

Implementation Details: The effectiveness will depend on the specifics of notice methods, timing, and any exemptions or special provisions included in the final text.

For a complete assessment, the full bill text would need to be reviewed to confirm exact notice requirements, timelines, and any exemptions.

Bill