HB370 Summary

• Defines "airbag," "counterfeit airbag," and "nonfunctional airbag" and renames the offense from "fraudulent repair of an airbag" to "airbag fraud" under Section 13A-11-270, Code of Alabama 1975.

• Establishes criminal penalties for manufacturing, importing, selling, or offering to sell counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags, or installing/reinstalling such devices in motor vehicles.

• Criminalizes selling, installing, or reinstalling devices that cause a vehicle's diagnostic system to inaccurately indicate the presence of a functional airbag when a counterfeit, nonfunctional, or no airbag is actually installed.

• Creates criminal liability for installing counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags and then selling or offering to sell the vehicle while intending to deceive the purchaser about the airbag's status.

• Establishes airbag fraud as a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class C felony if the fraud contributes to physical injury; repeals Section 13A-11-271 relating to fraudulent motor vehicle sales without airbags; becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.