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LANSING – State Representatives Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) and Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) today unveiled a package of bills aimed at keeping seniors and vulnerable citizens safe during Michigan's harsh winters by requiring utility companies to give longer and more effective notice to customers at risk of a shutoff, adding protections for elderly and mentally disabled customers, and establishing procedures to ensure that no one risks injury or death by living in a home without electricity or heat.

"In these tough economic times, it's easy for working families and seniors to fall behind on their heating bills, especially during such a harsh winter," said Byrum, a lead sponsor of the package. "No one should have to lose their life because their electricity was shut off. By putting these protections in place, we will protect our most vulnerable residents and prevent needless deaths."

The House Democrats' plan aims to prevent tragedies such as the death of 90-year-old Phyllis Willett of Vicksburg. Willett was found dead in her freezing Kalamazoo-area home on Dec. 17, four days after her electricity was shut off by Indiana Michigan Power. Her 63-year-old daughter, whom relatives described as mentally disabled, suffered injuries related to frostbite and exposure.

     The plan would:

• Prohibit utilities from shutting off a senior's utilities in the winter and require them to work to ensure that those with mental disabilities don't have their utilities shut off.
• Require utilities to give customers at least 15 days notice before shutoff and notify them in person or by certified mail, and give low-income customers who are part of the Winter Protection Program 30 days to pay their delinquent bill before shutting off service.
• Mandate that utilities visit the home of a senior customer who has not restored service within three business days to tell them how they can resolve the situation.