HD.3617/SD.1384: Acts relative to wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protection

Lead Sponsors: Rep. Jim O’Day, Sen. John Cronin  

Wheelchairs and scooters are often prone to defects and sudden failure. It is common for consumers to be left stranded or isolated in their homes for weeks, or even months, awaiting repairs. By strengthening warranty protections for Massachusetts residents with disabilities and accountability for wheelchair providers, we can level the playing field for consumers, shorten repair wait times, save taxpayer money, and ensure that we are all treated with dignity and respect. SD.1384 expands the existing warranty to be more enforceable and cover more consumers. HD.3517, meanwhile, addresses repair times directly by defining and enforcing “timely repairs” as 10 days from the date the repair is requested. Both approaches hold wheelchair providers and suppliers accountable to reasonable repair timelines, and put power back in the hands of the community. 

For more information, contact Harry Weissman at hweissman@dpcma.org or 617-977-4084.