§ 11-35-20.1. Wrongful termination or disruption of service. (a) Any person who has been served an order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 who causes the interruption of any utility service by false presentation or other means at the residence of the person(s) protected by a protective order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 shall constitute harassment.

(b) Any person subject to an order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 who wishes to remove their name from a utility bill and terminate their future financial responsibility for making payments on that bill must first seek approval from the court that issued the protective order.

(1) The court shall not allow any person, upon his or her own motion, to remove his or her name from a utility bill and terminate their financial responsibility with respect to the utility bill without first ensuring that the preexisting balance owed to the utility has been satisfied and that the person(s) covered by the protective order is able to establish an account under his or her own name without the need to make a deposit that causes hardship, and is capable of fulfilling their financial obligations towards the utility in the future.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prevent a person protected by an order issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, or chapters 5 or 15 of title 15 from transferring a utility bill into his or her name and assuming any and all obligations to the utility.

(d) Any person who shall wrongfully terminate or disrupt any utility service in violation of this section shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

History of Section. (P.L. 2016, ch. 447, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 448, § 1.)