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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 07.03.25.02" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="25" heading="Definitions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Administration” means the Family Investment Administration of the Department of Human Services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Applicant” means an electric, gas, or other energy source service customer for whom assistance is being requested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Arrearage” means the amount of money owed by an electric, gas, or other energy source service customer to a fuel vendor or a utility vendor which is 21 days or more past due.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Assisted living facility” means an institution or facility that admits elderly or disabled individuals who cannot manage activities of daily living, and provides a protective institutional or home-type environment for a fee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“Benefit” means cash assistance or other service that is provided on behalf of an eligible applicant.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“CMN Program” means the Critical Medical Needs Program established under Human Services Article, §5-5A-08, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Critical medically vulnerable individual” means an individual who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Has a severe health condition that will be aggravated due to the termination or noncontinuation of electric, gas, or other energy source services or needs the use of life-support equipment as documented and certified in accordance with COMAR 20.31.03.01 on a certification of serious illness or life support form submitted to the appropriate fuel vendor or utility vendor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Has or will have their electric, gas, or other energy source services terminated for nonpayment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is unable to complete the energy assistance applications under available energy assistance programs, including energy efficiency programs offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Department” means the Maryland Department of Human Services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Energy emergency” means a lack of fuel or the imminent discontinuation of energy services supplied by a fuel vendor or utility vendor that will endanger health, safety, or welfare.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Fuel vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, produces, or offers for sale coal products, fuel oil, kerosene, bottled gas, propane, or wood for fuel use or consumption in the State.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>“Household” means an individual or group of individuals who are living together as one unit and for whom residential electric, gas, or other energy source service or other home energy is purchased in common.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>“Income” means gross income.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>“Life-support equipment” means any electric, gas, or other energy source-using device certified by a licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner, or physician assistant as being essential to prevent, or to provide relief from, a serious illness or to sustain the life of the customer or an occupant of the premises where the applicant resides.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>“Navigator” means a representative from a medical facility or from a public or private assistance agency or organization who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Has completed training provided by the Office;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Has signed a Confidentiality Certification Form;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is in personal contact with a critical medically vulnerable individual; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Assists the critical medically vulnerable individual in the energy application process.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(15)">
      <text>“Office” means the Office of Home Energy Programs.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(16)">
      <text>“Program year” means July 1 through June 30.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(17)">
      <text>“Recipient” means an applicant whom the Office has approved for CMN Program benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(18)">
      <text>“Termination notice” means a notification from a fuel vendor or utility vendor that includes, at a minimum, the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The name and account number of the customer whose electric, gas, or other energy source service is to be terminated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The address of the premises where service is to be terminated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A statement of the reasons for the proposed termination;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The date on or after which the proposed termination will occur;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The charges for reconnection of service, if any; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A statement of the total amount due, if applicable.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(19)">
      <text>“Utility vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, or produces natural gas or electricity for use or consumption in the State.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(20)">
      <text>“Verification” means documentation or proof of accuracy of statements made by the applicant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>