Bill > S2567

This bill aims to expand wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities. The key provisions are: 1. Manufacturers who sell or lease wheelchairs must provide an express warranty of at least 2 years from the date of first delivery to the consumer. 2. If a wheelchair does not conform to the warranty and the consumer reports the issue within the warranty period, the manufacturer must repair the wheelchair at no cost to the consumer and cover any collateral costs, such as the cost of renting a replacement wheelchair. 3. If the wheelchair cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer can choose to receive a comparable new wheelchair or a refund of the purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for use. 4. Consumers have the option to submit any disputes to an alternative arbitration mechanism established by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. 5. The Attorney General can enforce the law and consumers can bring private actions under the state's consumer protection law, including recovering damages and attorney's fees. The bill also requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to implement the amendments within 90 days of the law's effective date.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2567