LANSING ? Michigan residents stealing utility service or assaulting utility workers trying to disconnect their service would face stricter penalties under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
The bills (SB 1310 , SB 1311 , SB 1312 , SB 1313 and SB 1314 ) make it a felony to bypass utility metering equipment or to reconnect service that has been disconnected by the utility. They also create penalties for assaulting a utility worker on par with those for assaulting a police officer.
“These are bills that frankly protect citizens from serious consequences if they steal energy,” Granholm said. “The bills prevent or at least send a message that stealing energy is wrong.”
Supporters pointed to the number of people injured and killed trying to reconnect service as well as the number of buildings destroyed by fires started by the improper connections.
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