Court Strikes Down Domestic Violence Deposit Waivers

JACKSON ( WCBI) – The Mississippi Supreme Court has sided with the Mississippi Rural Water Association in its bid to have a Public Service Commission order declared void.

The argument stemmed from a PSC rule saying  documented domestic violence victims could have their initial utility deposits waived for 60 days if they were seeking a new residence in an effort to escape an abusive home.   The  Rural Water Association argued the PSC had no right to pass the rule because the deposit waiver involved utility rates which are outside the PSC authority.   The state’s high court says the water associations are correct because the amount of deposits on hand have a direct impact on what rates it charges it customers.