{"id":961,"date":"2024-01-05T11:40:51","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senatorwaltertimilty.com\/?p=961"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:40:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:40:51","slug":"timilty-votes-for-wheelchair-warranty-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senatorwaltertimilty.com\/timilty-votes-for-wheelchair-warranty-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Timilty Votes for Wheelchair Warranty Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHEELCHAIR WARRANTY REFORM PASSED BY SENATOR TIMILTY AND THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bill extends wheelchair warranties, requires faster repairs and replacements, bringing <\/em>Massachusetts in line with neighboring states <\/em><\/h3>\n

BOSTON (1\/5\/2024)<\/strong>\u2014Yesterday, Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), along with his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate, voted to aid thousands of residents within the Commonwealth by strengthening consumer protections laws for wheelchair users.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This legislation, S.2541, An Act Expanding Wheelchair Warranty Protections for Consumers with Disabilities, <\/em>requires all wheelchairs to come with warranties, extends the minimum warranty period to two years, sets standards for wheelchair repairs and replacements, and eliminates the cumbersome prior authorization process for all wheelchair repairs under $1,000.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud to vote for this bill. Our constituents across the Commonwealth who use wheelchairs deserve these protections\u201d said Timilty. \u201cIf a wheelchair breaks down, a user should be able to get it fixed in a timely manner so that they are able to get back to their daily life as soon as possible. Constituents have said that, currently, repairs can take on average six months to a year. We cannot allow that to continue. We are hopeful this bill will address these horrible delays.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Timilty, as a member of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure chaired by his colleague State Senator John J. Cronin, heard testimony on this legislation in May of 2023, and voted favorably to move this bill forward in June of 2023. Cronin is the lead sponsor of the bill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cQuite simply, this is a consumer protection bill that will help thousands of people in the Commonwealth who rely on their wheelchairs and their mobility devices for the basic ability to maneuver. A wheelchair provides someone with the independence to go to work, to shop for groceries, take public transit, see a doctor, or just enjoy a night out,\u201d said Timilty. \u201cHowever, when their wheelchair breaks, all too often, individuals are then stripped of this freedom while they wait for a service technician to assess a defect or for the repair to be made. These delays \u2013 sometimes in excess of six months – have created an unbelievable hardship for them and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The legislation requires all wheelchairs sold or leased in the Commonwealth to come with express warranties. This is a change from the current law, which only requires customized wheelchairs to come with express warranties. The legislation also extends express warranties for wheelchairs from one year to two years, bringing Massachusetts in line with states like Rhode Island and Connecticut. To alleviate wait times for repairs, the bill mandates that wheelchair service providers diagnose repair issues remotely within three business days following notice from a consumer and provide an in-person assessment no more than four business days after that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If a wheelchair user cannot operate their in-warranty chair during the repair process, the bill mandates that manufacturers or dealers reimburse them for or provide a loaner wheelchair within four business days for most wheelchairs, or within eight business days for highly customized wheelchairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bill also requires manufacturers and dealers to cover any collateral costs incurred during the repair process for in-warranty wheelchairs. For out-of-warranty wheelchairs, the legislation prohibits insurers for requiring consumers to go through a cumbersome prior authorization process for any repairs totaling less than $1,000. Finally, the bill allows the Attorney General\u2019s office to take legal action against service providers who violate these provisions with unfair or deceptive business practices.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The legislation has received strong support from disability advocates across Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cS.2541 reflects an understanding of the challenges faced by wheelchair users and sets a new standard for consumer protection that will improve the quality of life for wheelchair users across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Barbara L’Italien, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center<\/strong>. \u201cWe are grateful to Senate President Spilka, Senator Cronin, and the Massachusetts Senate for recognizing the profound impact this legislation will have on individuals with disabilities who utilize wheelchairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a wheelchair, providing mobility so people can integrate into the community, too often breaks down, with waits as long as a year for repairs\u2014we can fix cars and bikes in a day! \u2014we have a serious problem,\u201d Kay Schoucair, Senior Organizer, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL)<\/strong>. \u201cThe time is overdue for manufacturers to simply stand behind their products. BCIL applauds the Senate for pushing this much needed bill forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A similar version of the legislation was passed by the Senate in 2022, however that legislation did not further advance in the Legislature.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now heads to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

###<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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