Bill > A06569

This bill establishes the "Consumer Wheelchair Repair Bill of Rights Act," which creates comprehensive regulations to improve wheelchair repair access and processes. The legislation requires wheelchair manufacturers to make documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, and tools available to independent repair providers and wheelchair owners at fair and reasonable costs, ensuring that repairs can be conducted efficiently. It mandates that wheelchair repairs must be completed within ten days of a repair request, and if a wheelchair is out of service for 30 days or longer, the owner is entitled to a temporary replacement wheelchair. The bill extends the manufacturer's warranty from one to two years and establishes that wheelchair repairs needed within five years of the initial prescription are considered medically necessary without requiring additional authorization. The Office of the Chief Disability Officer will oversee a new "Timely Repair for Wheelchair Program," which includes maintaining a complaint system, requiring annual reporting from authorized wheelchair dealers, and developing rules and regulations to enforce these provisions. Additionally, the legislation aims to ensure that Medicaid reimbursement rates adequately support the complex resources needed for wheelchair evaluation, diagnosis, and repair, ultimately improving accessibility and service quality for wheelchair users.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6569