SB 271 Summary

• Requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of powered wheelchairs to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, and tools to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms and costs.

• OEMs must provide materials needed to reset electronic security locks or functions when disabled during repair services, potentially through secure release systems.

• Establishes civil penalties up to $2,500 per wheelchair (first violation, max $250,000) and up to $10,000 per wheelchair (subsequent violations, max $250,000) for knowing violations; first-time non-knowing violators get 3-day cure period.

• Requires independent repair providers to provide written notice to customers that they are not authorized providers and informing them of warranty implications under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

• Prohibits Medi-Cal from requiring prior authorization for powered wheelchair repairs costing $1,250 or less (January 1, 2025 through January 1, 2029) and eliminates prescription/medical necessity documentation requirements for repairs to previously approved wheelchairs.