Pennsylvania Legislators Proposed Medical Power Protections
Three representatives introduced a plan to support residents who rely on life-sustaining medical equipment during power outages.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Utilities
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Pennsylvania representatives have proposed new legislation designed to protect residents who depend on medical devices. The bill would create a voluntary registry and provide grants for backup power equipment such as generators and batteries.
Why it matters
Lawmakers aim to prevent medical emergencies and fatalities caused by power outages, drawing on lessons from similar incidents in other states. The proposal seeks to ensure vulnerable residents maintain consistent access to the electricity required to operate life-sustaining equipment.
The proposal includes a one-year prohibition on utility service disconnection due to non-payment for listed residents. Utility companies would be required to update the registry of medical equipment users every quarter.
The players
Jim Prokopiak
Representative Jim Prokopiak is a Pennsylvania lawmaker representing Bucks County who co-sponsored the proposed legislation.
Lisa Borowski
Representative Lisa Borowski represents Delaware County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is a lead sponsor of the proposal.
Melissa Cerrato
Representative Melissa Cerrato serves the Montgomery County area as a Pennsylvania state representative and helped draft the legislation.
The details
The bill would require utility providers to manage a registry tracking residents who need backup power for medical needs, including emergency contact information and outage priority status. Additionally, the plan proposes a state-funded grant program to assist these households in purchasing battery packs or generators.
Timeline
Utility companies would update the medical device registry every quarter.
Utility companies would be prohibited from cutting off service for up to one year for listed residents.
Market Landscape
This move reflects a growing legislative focus on utility infrastructure reliability for vulnerable populations, similar to existing state-level medical certificate protections. By mandating registries and grant programs, the proposal forces utilities to integrate emergency preparedness into their operational compliance models.
Residents who rely on life-sustaining equipment may eventually gain access to state-funded grants for backup power supplies. The policy would also provide a crucial one-year grace period on utility shutoffs for households enrolled in the registry.
The takeaway
If enacted, this legislation would formalize the responsibility of utility companies to track high-risk residents during emergencies. Families should maintain their own backup power plans while monitoring the status of this potential state-level funding program.
Further reading
For more information on state infrastructure, visit the Pennsylvania Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
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Should utility companies be required by law to prioritize residents using medical devices during power outages?
