OH HB639

Prohibits water service curtailment, disruption, or disconnection due to nonpayment of fees; permits disconnection only for hazardous situations or at customer request.

Requires public water systems to develop water affordability programs with sliding scale fees not exceeding 4.5% of customer income and emergency assistance programs with debt forgiveness after 24 months of on-time payments.

Mandates water systems assist delinquent customers with payment schedules, prohibits liens on property, eliminates connection fees, and requires informational materials about customer protections.

Requires annual reporting to the environmental protection agency on fees, billing averages, disconnection data by census tract and zip code, and assistance programs; agency must publish reports publicly.

Establishes forfeiture penalties of $1,000-$10,000 for large systems and graduated penalties up to $2,500 for smaller systems; authorizes environmental protection agency to adopt implementing rules.