HB480 Summary

• Establishes the "New Assistive Devices Warranty Act" to provide warranty protections for assistive devices costing $500 or more, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and vision-enhancement devices.

• Requires manufacturers to repair reported nonconformities or provide consumers with either a full refund (including purchase price, finance charges, sales tax, and collateral costs less reasonable use allowance) or a comparable replacement device within 30 days.

• Allows consumers to bring legal action within one year for damages caused by violations, with courts awarding up to twice the pecuniary loss plus costs, attorney fees, and equitable relief.

• Exempts disposable devices with a useful life of one year or less and batteries or nonfunctional accessories from the act's requirements.

• Voids any consumer waivers of rights under the act and does not limit other remedies available under existing law; becomes effective three months after passage and approval.