Chapter 087
2023 -- H 5560
Enacted 06/19/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- CONSUMER ENFORCEMENT OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE WARRANTIES

Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Azzinaro, Edwards, Kazarian, Corvese, Serpa, and Diaz

Date Introduced: February 15, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 6-45-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 6-45 entitled "Consumer
Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     6-45-4. Reasonable number of attempts to repair.
     (a) A “reasonable number of attempts to repair” an assistive technology device with a
nonconformity means the occurrence of one or both of the following:
     (1) The same nonconformity that is first reported during Term A is subject to repair two
(2) or more times during Term B; or
     (2) The device is out-of-service for an aggregate of thirty (30) or more calendar days during
Term A because of one or more nonconformities.
     (b) For purposes of counting the days for which a device is out-of-service because of one
or more nonconformities, an out-of-service period shall begin with and include the day that is the
later of:
     (1) The day the nonconformity first appears; or
     (2) The business day prior to the day on which the consumer first reports the nonconformity
to the manufacturer of the device or its authorized dealer.
     (c) For purposes of counting the days for which a device is out-of-service because of one
or more nonconformities, an out-of-service period shall end with and include the day on which the
device is returned after repair, and is then free of nonconformities, to the possession of the
consumer, unless this return is made by 10:00 a.m. of that day in which case the out-of-service
period shall end with and include the previous day.
     (d) In the event an out-of-service period has commenced during Term A, then for purposes
of subsection (a)(2), Term A shall continue until the end of this out-of-service period.
     (e) The manufacturer/vendor shall keep written records of all repair attempts made,
including:
     (1) The date a repair was requested;
     (2) The type of repair requested;
     (3) The date the repair attempt began;
     (4) The length of time required for the repair attempt;
     (5) The results of the repair attempt; and
     (6) The total number of repair attempts made.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 6-45 of the General Laws entitled "Consumer Enforcement of
Assistive Technology Device Warranties" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following
section:
     6-45-8. Information about assistive technology warranties act to be provided at time
of sale.
     At the time of purchase or lease, the manufacturer must provide directly to the consumer a
statement, written in not less than fourteen (14) point all capital bolded type on a separate piece of
paper or in such other form as the consumer can understand, the following form:
     "(1) If the device is still defective after two (2) attempts to repair the same problem within
two (2) years, or out of service for thirty (30) days for any combination of problems within the first
year from the date of first delivery, you may be entitled to a replacement or refund of the purchase
price under chapter 45 of title 6. To be entitled to a refund or a replacement, you must first notify
the device manufacturer or vendor of the problem and give the vendor or manufacturer an
opportunity to repair the device in accordance with § 6-45-5(b)(1).
     (2) If your device is out-of-service for more than seven (7) days, or not having a device
would be a threat to your safety, the manufacturer/vendor must provide you with a loaner device.
     (3) For more information about this law, you can contact the governor’s commission on
disabilities."
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC001731
========