38.5.1413    METHOD OF TERMINATION

(1) Actual termination may not take place until one day after personal or telephone notice or, in the alternative, one business day after notice has been posted in a place conspicuous to the customer when the customer was not contacted personally or by phone.

(2) The utility's representative (employee) shall attempt to inform the occupant of the affected residence that service is to be discontinued. The employee shall present the occupant with a statement of charges due and shall request verification that the delinquent charges have not been paid or are not subject to a dispute previously registered with the utility or the Commission. Upon the presentation of evidence which reasonably indicates that the charge has been paid or is subject to a dispute previously registered with the utility or the Commission, service shall not be terminated.

(3) The employee shall be authorized to accept payment. If payment in full of all delinquent charges is tendered, service shall not be terminated.

(4) Payment may be tendered in any reasonable manner including personal check. Payment by personal check is not reasonable if the customer has paid the utility with checks returned for insufficient funds twice or more within the previous two years.

History: Sec. 69-3-103, MCA, IMP, Sec. 69-3-102, MCA; NEW, 1980 MAR p. 653, Eff. 2/29/80.