Bill > S3062

This bill establishes a digital right to repair for consumers in Massachusetts, requiring manufacturers of "consumer electronic devices" – defined as products that rely on digital electronics to function and are generally used for personal, family, or household purposes – to make available to owners and "independent repair providers" (businesses not affiliated with the manufacturer) on "fair and reasonable terms" (meaning at comparable costs and with similar convenience to what manufacturers offer their own authorized repair providers, and documentation at no charge unless printed) the necessary "documentation" (manuals, schematics, etc.), "parts," and "tools" (software and hardware for diagnosis and repair) needed for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair. The bill aims to prevent manufacturers from unfairly restricting repair options by ensuring that if they sell repair information in a standardized format to third parties on better terms than they offer their authorized repair providers, they cannot force those authorized providers to continue buying in a proprietary format unless the proprietary format offers unique functionality. While manufacturers are not required to divulge trade secrets unless necessary for repair, or provide access to non-diagnostic/non-repair information given to authorized providers, the bill outlines a process for owners or independent repair providers to notify manufacturers of non-compliance and pursue legal action if issues aren't resolved, with violations considered unfair trade practices. The bill also includes several exemptions, notably for motor vehicles, power generation equipment, certain solar energy products, and importantly, video game consoles and their components, as well as specific utility, farm, construction, and safety equipment, and devices approved by the FDA, with federal law taking precedence in case of conflict and the act taking effect on January 1, 2027.