The following is an excerpt from the Michigan Public Service Commission residential telephone billing rules regarding local telephone service disconnection:

R  484.381   Shutoff of service; reasons.

  Rule 81. Subject to the requirements of these rules, a provider may shut off basic local exchange service to a  customer  for  1  or  more  of  the following reasons:

  (a) Nonpayment of a delinquent account for basic local exchange service.

  (b) Nonpayment of a delinquent account with a delinquent balance of $150 or more for basic local exchange service and regulated toll service in the name of the customer.

  (c) Maintaining a delinquent balance of $125 or more for 3 consecutive months for basic local exchange service and regulated toll service.

  (d) Unauthorized tampering or interference with facilities and equipment owned by a provider of basic local exchange service that are situated on or about the customer's premises.

  (e) Refusal to grant access at reasonable times to equipment installed upon the premises of the customer for the purpose of inspection, maintenance, or replacement.

  (f) Misrepresentation of the customer's identity for the purpose of obtaining basic local exchange service.

  (g) A violation of a tariff provision of the provider of basic local exchange service that is on file with or approved by the commission that adversely affects the safety of the customer or other persons or the integrity of the provider's basic local exchange system.

  (h) Any other unauthorized use or interference with basic local exchange service, including improper use of a party line service by denying other customers on the line an equitable proportionate use of the service.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.

R  484.382   Psychiatric and medical emergencies.

  Rule 82. Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, a provider shall postpone the shutoff of basic local exchange service and regulated toll service to a customer for not more than 15 days if the customer produces a physician's certificate stating that the current mental or physical condition of the customer, a member of the customer's family, or another permanent resident of the premises where service is rendered who is suffering from an existing mental illness or medical condition will be endangered by a shutoff of service. The certificate shall identify the mental illness or medical condition of the customer, the member of the customer's family, or other permanent resident of the premises where service is rendered. If a provider is notified telephonically or in writing that a psychiatric or medical emergency exists, then the provider shall permit 7 days for the customer to produce the certificate or notice. The postponement may be extended for 1 additional 15-day period by the renewal and the resubmission of the certificate or notice.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.

R  484.383   Form and contents of notice.

  Rule 83. Notice of shutoff of basic local exchange service shall contain all of the following information:

  (a) The name and the billing address of the customer and, to the extent possible, the address of the service, if different.

  (b) A clear and concise statement of the reason for the proposed shutoff of service.

  (c) The date after which service will be subject to shutoff without further notice unless the customer takes appropriate action.

  (d) The right of the customer to file a formal complaint with the commission if the dispute cannot be otherwise resolved and a statement that the customer must pay to the provider of basic local exchange service that portion of the bill for basic local exchange service and regulated toll service that is not in dispute within 3 days of the date that the formal complaint is filed.

  (e) A statement that service will not be shut off pending the resolution of a formal complaint that is filed and prosecuted in conformity with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and orders of the commission.

  (f) The telephone number and address of the provider of basic local exchange service where the customer may make inquiry or enter into a settlement agreement.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.

R  484.384   Notice of shutoff of service.

  Rule 84. (1) A provider of basic local exchange service shall not shut off service unless written notice is sent, by first-class mail, to the customer or personally served not less than 5 days before the date of the proposed shutoff. If a shutoff of service is sought for nonpayment of a delinquent account, then a notice of shutoff shall not be sent before the time the account becomes delinquent. Service of notice by mail is complete upon mailing, unless proven otherwise by the customer. A provider of basic local exchange service shall maintain an accurate record of the date of mailing. The provider is responsible for the accurate and timely notice of shutoff.

  (2) A notice of shutoff of service shall not be issued if a customer has a pending formal complaint concerning the bill upon which the notice is based.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.

R  484.385   Time of shutoff.

  Rule 85. (1) Subject to the requirements of these rules, a provider may shut off basic local exchange service to a customer on the date specified in the notice of shutoff or within a reasonable time thereafter, but only at times that the provider has personnel available to reconnect service.

  (2) Basic local exchange service shall not be shut off on a day, or a day immediately preceding a day, when the provider's personnel are not available to reconnect service.

  (3) Basic local exchange service shall not be shut off while a complaint related to the reason for the shutoff is pending.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.

R  484.386   Restoration of service.

  Rule 86. (1) After basic local exchange service has been shut off, a provider shall restore service promptly, but not later than 1 working day after the customer's request, when the cause for the shutoff of service has been cured or credit arrangements satisfactory to the provider have been made.

  (2) Any payments required for service restoration may be made by the customer in any reasonable manner.  Payment by personal check may be refused by the provider if the customer has tendered payment in this manner and the check has  been dishonored  during  the  last  3  years, excluding bank error.

  (3) Before restoring service, a provider may require 1 or more of the following:

  (a) Payment of the total amount due on all of the customer's delinquent and shutoff accounts for basic local exchange service and regulated toll service owed to the provider.

  (b) An arrangement or settlement agreement requiring the payment of all amounts owed to the provider for basic local exchange service and regulated toll service.  (c) Payment of an amount provided by tariff for basic local exchange service restoration.

  (d) A security deposit or payment guarantee not to exceed  $150 per access line.

  History:  1996 MR 7, Eff. July 17, 1996.