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<chapter num="04" heading="Customers' Rights Pamphlet" title_num="20" subtitle_num="30">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Customers' Rights Pamphlet.">
    <text>Each gas, electric and combination gas and electric utility shall prepare a pamphlet in accordance with this chapter, subject to the Commission's approval, summarizing the rights and responsibilities of their customers, consistent with the utilities' tariff provisions and the Commission's regulations.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Contents of Pamphlet.">
    <text>The pamphlet shall contain, at a minimum, a statement or description of the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Service application procedures including a provision permitting more than one individual in a dwelling unit to request classification as a customer and to be listed on the service account;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Billing procedures, including the late payment charges;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Methods for customers to verify billing accuracy;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Explanation of the utility's fuel adjustment clause, or purchased gas clause, or both;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Explanation of seasonal rate differentials;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Customer payment policies, including a general summary of alternate payment plans and the Winter Heating Protection Program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>Security deposit policies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="H.">
      <text>The Termination Policy Statement as set forth in COMAR 20.31.01.06;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="I.">
      <text>Inquiry, service, and complaint procedures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="J.">
      <text>Information on the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and on access to other programs to assist low-income customers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="K.">
      <text>Other pertinent information including the telephone number of the Consumer Affairs Division;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="L.">
      <text>Information on the utility's bill extender plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="M.">
      <text>The residential rate schedules available; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="N.">
      <text>For electric utilities and combination electric and gas utilities only:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A summary of the reports required by COMAR 20.50.07.06, including explanations of the reliability indices; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Instructions for how customers can request reliability indices for their electric service.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Delivery to Customer.">
    <text>This pamphlet shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Be mailed or, at the option of the utility and upon request by the customer, delivered by electronic means to each customer of the utility once each year during the month of August, September, or October;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Be delivered or mailed to each new customer of the utility when the new customer initiates service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Be available at all times upon request; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Indicate that it is being provided in accordance with the Commission's regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Public Utilities Article, §§2-113, 2-121, and 5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 30, 1976 (Order No. 61848)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.03 amended effective January 18, 1982 (9:1 Md. R. 24)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective October 22, 1984 (11:21 Md. R. 1815); November 18, 1985 (12:23 Md. R. 2224); June 27, 1988 (15:13 Md. R. 1558); June 15, 1998 (25:12 Md. R. 948); March 18, 2002 (29:5 Md. R. 505)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03A amended effective September 21, 2009 (36:19 Md. R. 1438)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>