<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 20.70.04.09" title_num="20" subtitle_num="70" chapter_num="04" heading="Insufficient Reasons for Denial of Service.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The following may not constitute sufficient cause for refusal of service to a present or prospective customer:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Failure of a prior customer to pay for service at the premises to be served;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Failure to pay for merchandise purchased from the utility;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Failure to pay for a public utility service other than water service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Failure to pay for a different class of service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Failure to pay the bill of another customer as guarantor of the customer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Failure to pay the undercharge for the period in excess of 4 months as described in Regulation .06E of this chapter; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Failure to pay 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;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Outstanding bill is for service obtained by the customer by means of tampering with equipment furnished and owned by the utility or by unauthorized use of service by any method; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Outstanding bill is for service obtained by the customer by means of an application made:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>In a fictitious name,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>In the name of an individual who is not an occupant of the dwelling unit, without disclosure of the individual's actual address,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>In the name of a third party without disclosing that fact or without bona fide authority from the third party, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Without disclosure of a material fact or by misrepresentation of a material fact.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>This regulation applies to both residential and nonresidential classes of service.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>