TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-1-70 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC UTILITY THAT SUPPLIES ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 58 MAY NOT TRANSFER OR APPLY A DELINQUENT, LATE, OVERDUE, OR UNPAID BALANCE FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER ACCOUNT HELD INDIVIDUALLY OR JOINTLY IN THE SAME CUSTOMER'S NAME.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 58 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 58-1-70.    Notwithstanding another provision of law, a public utility that supplies electricity or natural gas pursuant to the provisions of this title may not transfer or apply a delinquent, late, overdue, or unpaid balance from one account to another account held individually or jointly in the same customer's name."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.