HB 316 - New Assistive Devices Warranty Act

• Establishes warranty protections for new assistive devices including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and vision enhancement devices purchased or leased in Alabama.

• Requires manufacturers, dealers, or lessors to repair nonconforming devices once a consumer reports the defect and makes the device available for repair.

• Mandates manufacturers provide either a full refund (including purchase price, finance charges, sales tax, and collateral costs) or replacement device if repair attempts fail, with refunds to include deduction for reasonable wear and tear.

• Requires replacement devices be provided within 30 days of the consumer offering to transfer the defective device to the manufacturer.

• Allows consumers to sue for damages up to twice the pecuniary loss plus attorney fees within one year of a violation; prohibits waiver of consumer rights and excludes only disposable devices with useful life of one year or less and batteries from coverage.