* § 31-a. Use of preferred name and pronouns. 1. Every utility corporation or municipality shall provide applicants for residential service and residential customers with a convenient option to request that the utility corporation or municipality use their preferred name and/or preferred pronouns in all written or oral communications between the utility corporation or municipality and the applicant or customer, as well as all statements or documentation relating to a customer's residential service, regardless of whether such applicant or customer's preferred name differs from their current legal name. 2. If an applicant or customer's preferred name differs from their current legal name, a utility corporation or municipality may require such applicant or customer to provide reasonable proof of identity using their legal name, provided that such information shall be used solely to verify the applicant or customer's identity or for other purposes required by law. 3. No utility corporation or municipality shall:

(a) willfully and repeatedly fail to use an applicant or customer's preferred name and/or preferred pronouns after being clearly informed of the preferred name and/or preferred pronouns pursuant to subdivision one of this section; or

(b) require an applicant or customer to specify their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in order to use their preferred name and/or preferred pronouns. * NB Effective December 16, 2021