CA SB983

Requires manufacturers of electronic or appliance products ($50-$99.99 wholesale) to provide service literature at no charge and functional parts/tools on fair and reasonable terms for 3 years after manufacture, including documentation and tools to disable/reset security locks.

Requires manufacturers of electronic or appliance products ($100 or more wholesale) to provide service literature at no charge and functional parts/tools on fair and reasonable terms for 7 years after manufacture, including documentation and tools to disable/reset security locks.

Defines "fair and reasonable terms" as costs and terms equivalent to those offered to authorized service dealers, accounting for discounts, delivery methods, and any additional costs or impediments imposed on independent repair facilities.

Requires non-authorized repair facilities and service dealers to provide written notice to customers before repair that explains the facility is not manufacturer-authorized and details consumer rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Permits service dealers (in addition to retail sellers and independent servicepersons) to bring legal action for willful or repeated violations of warranty provisions, with damages up to three times actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees.