Massachusetts Leads Nation in Advancing Right to Repair Legislation

Lawmakers Seek to Protect Motorists' Safety, Economic Interests

BETHESDA, Md., April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Massachusetts leads the nation in protecting motorists' safety and economic interests through the legislature's efforts to advance the Right to Repair Act at the state level. The Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (S2268) would guarantee equal access to automotive repair information and safety bulletins for independent repairers and their customers.

The Massachusetts Right to Repair bill was introduced by state Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield and Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham.  Following passage by an overwhelming majority in the Joint Committee on Professional Licensure, the Right to Repair Act is awaiting a senate floor vote before proceeding to the House. The pending legislation has the support of an impressive array of state organizations including AAA of Southern New England which has over two million members. By requiring that car companies make safety and repair information available to all repair shops, the Right to Repair Act ensures that motorists, and not the manufacturers, determine where, how and by whom their vehicle is serviced and repaired to keep it in safe working order.

"We want to thank Sen. Buoniconti, Rep. Bradley and all of the co-sponsors for their hard work on behalf of Massachusetts car owners and vehicle owners throughout the country," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).  "The top priority of the Right to Repair Act is the safety of motorists. Today, vehicle manufacturers are not required to share repair information and technical service bulletins about safety problems and recalls with car owners and their neighborhood repair shops. With more than five million cars registered in Massachusetts alone, doesn't it make sense to pass the Right to Repair Act so that all repair shops have access to the same safety and repair information?"

At the federal level, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (S 3181) was recently introduced into the U.S. Senate by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS).  The House version of the bill was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) and currently has 60 cosponsors. To learn more, visit www.righttorepair.org or www.massrighttorepair.com.  

About Right to Repair:

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (S3181) was introduced into the Senate by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS).  The House version of the bill (HR 2057) was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA).  The Massachusetts Right to Repair bill (S2268) was introduced by state Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield and Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham. The Right to Repair Act protects consumers from a growing vehicle repair monopoly by requiring car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org or for information on the Massachusetts bill, visit www.massrighttorepair.com.

SOURCE Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED