In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Account holder” means the individual in whose name a utility account is established. “Utility” means an electric company, an electricity supplier, a gas company, a gas supplier, a sewage disposal company, a water company, or any combination of these companies. If an account holder’s surviving spouse presents to a utility the account holder’s death certificate and their marriage certificate or a State or federal tax return filed jointly by the account holder and the surviving spouse in the immediately preceding year, the utility shall, without requiring any further information, other than updated contact information, or imposing any fee or penalty: temporarily keep the account open for a period of not less than 6 months and, during that time, treat the surviving spouse as a joint holder of the account; or transfer the account to the surviving spouse. Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1) of this section, a utility may: in accordance with any other applicable law, impose a fee or penalty or terminate an account for nonpayment; or at the request of the surviving spouse, close the account.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Abuse” has the meaning stated in § 4–501(b) of the Family Law Article. “Account holder” means an individual in whose name a utility account is maintained individually or jointly with other individuals. “Offender” means an individual who commits an act of abuse. “Qualified third party” means: a licensed physician or psychologist authorized to practice under the Health Occupations Article; a social worker or caseworker of any public or private health or social services agency or provider; or an advocate from a domestic violence or sexual assault prevention or assistance program. “Report by a qualified third party” means a report based on information received by a qualified third party while acting in a professional capacity that: indicates that the account holder is seeking assistance as a result of being a victim of abuse; and includes the following information: the name of the account holder; the date, time, location, and a brief description of the incident; the name and physical description of the alleged offender, if known; the name and address of the employer of the qualified third party; if the qualified third party is required to be licensed, the licensing entity and license number of the qualified third party; the signature of the qualified third party, under seal of a notary public; and the acknowledgment and signature of the account holder under penalty of perjury. “Utility” means an electric company, an electricity supplier, a gas company, a gas supplier, a sewage disposal company, a water company, or any combination of these companies. Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, if an account holder is a victim of abuse, the account holder may terminate, and the utility shall allow for the termination of, the account holder’s future liability under a utility contract if the account holder provides the utility with written notice by first–class mail or hand delivery of the account holder’s request for termination of the account holder’s future liability under the contract. The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include: a copy of an enforceable final protective order issued for the benefit of the account holder under § 4–506 of the Family Law Article; a copy of an enforceable final peace order, for which the underlying act was an act of abuse, issued for the benefit of the account holder under § 3–1505 of the Courts Article; or a copy of a report by a qualified third party if: the name and physical description of the alleged offender are redacted; and the report was signed by the qualified third party within the 60 days immediately preceding the date the notice is provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection. An account holder who terminates a utility contract under subsection (b) of this section is responsible for utility charges only up to and including the billing cycle during which the written notice required under subsection (b) of this section is submitted. If an account holder terminates a utility contract under subsection (b) of this section, the utility shall allow the account holder to open a new utility account for a new premises notwithstanding an account balance or arrearage at the premises described in the written notice under subsection (b) of this section.