<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" citation="COMAR 20.31.02.01" title_num="20" subtitle_num="31" chapter_num="02" heading="Insufficient Reasons for Terminations.">
  <text>The following may not constitute sufficient cause for the utility to terminate service to an existing customer:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Failure of a previous customer to pay for service at the premises to be served, unless the current or prospective customer is in violation of one of the provisions of Regulation .04 of this chapter;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Failure of the customer to pay:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For merchandise purchased from the utility;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For a public utility service other than electric service, gas service, or electric and gas service, as the case may be;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For service that is used in other than dwelling units;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The bill of another customer as guarantor of that other customer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A bill which is delinquent for less than 3 months if the security deposit exceeds the amount of the estimated final bill for service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Any outstanding bill which is less than $100, and which is delinquent for less than 3 months;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Any undercharge for the period in excess of 4 months as described in COMAR 20.50.04.05 and 20.55.04.05; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>An outstanding bill that is over 7 years old, unless the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Customer signed an agreement to pay the outstanding bill before the expiration of this period, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Outstanding bill is for service obtained by the customer in any manner described in COMAR 20.31.02.03D or 20.31.02.04A(1)—(4).</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>