HB316 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patricia Todd

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Warranties, New Assistive Devices Warranty Act, remedies

Summary

The New Assistive Devices Warranty Act establishes warranties for new assistive devices and sets rules for repairing, refunding, or replacing them when they don't meet those warranties.

What This Bill Does

The bill defines key terms like assistive device, dealer, lessor, collateral costs, and consumer. If a device with an express warranty has a nonconformity, the seller must repair it during the warranty period after it is reported. If the nonconformity isn’t fixed after reasonable repairs, the manufacturer must refund or replace the device with specific calculations for purchases and leases, including a 30-day window to provide a comparable new device. It also lists exclusions and remedies, and sets limits on lawsuits and damages.

Who It Affects

• Consumers who buy or lease assistive devices gain warranty protections and potential refunds or replacements for nonconformities.
• Assistive device dealers and lessors (and manufacturers) must repair reported nonconformities and may face refunds, replacements, and reimbursement requirements under the act.

Key Provisions

• Definitions establishing terms such as assistive device, assistive device dealer, assistive device lessor, collateral costs, consumer/agency, and demonstrator.
• Repair and remedy process: reporters must notify the manufacturer/lessor and allow repair during the express warranty; if nonconformity is not repaired after reasonable attempts, refunds or replacements are required with specified calculations for purchased or leased devices and a 30-day window to provide a comparable new device.
• Exclusions, remedies, and effective date: excludes disposable devices with a useful life of one year or less and batteries or nonfunctional accessories; rights are not limited by other laws; suit may be filed within one year; damages may be up to twice the pecuniary loss plus costs; becomes law after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Warranties