To enact sections 4933.26 and 4933.27 of the Revised Code to establish rights for public utility customers regarding smart meters installed on their premises.

Section 1. That sections 4933.26 and 4933.27 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4933.26. As used in this section and section 4933.27 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Smart meter" means an advanced metering infrastructure device with the capability for two-way communication between the device and a utility.

(B) "Utility" means an electric light company, a gas company, a natural gas company, or a water-works company as defined in section 4905.03 of the Revised Code that is a public utility as defined in section 4905.02 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4933.27. (A) A utility may install a smart meter on a customer's premises, provided that the company does the following:

(1) Gives written notice to the customer, prior to installation, that includes the following:

(a) A statement that the meter will be used for two-way communication between itself and the utility;

(b) A description in plain language of the type of data the meter will collect from the customer and send to the utility;

(c) The customer's rights under divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section, and what steps the customer must take to exercise those rights.

(2) Allows a residential customer to choose not to have a smart meter installed, without incurring an additional monthly or other charge for this decision;

(3) Allows a residential customer to require removal of a previously installed smart meter for any reason at an agreed-upon time, without incurring any charge for such removal.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to meters whose communication capabilities will be used only for remote meter reading.