An Act advancing water access equity through utility reporting requirement

This bill requires public and private water utilities in Massachusetts to submit quarterly reports to the state's energy and environmental affairs office detailing how they handle customer billing and disconnection issues. The reports must include specific data broken down by zip code, such as the number of disconnection notices sent, water shut-offs, late fees charged, and the effectiveness of assistance programs like deferred payment plans. These records will be made public to increase transparency and allow communities to better understand water access equity across different areas. Additionally, the state agency must compile this data annually and report its findings to legislative committees by March 15 each year. The new reporting requirements are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.