§ 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.