HB 1826
In CommitteeHouse
Mobility equipment repair
Establishing a right to repair for mobility equipment for persons with physical disabilities.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a right to repair for mobility equipment used by people with disabilities, requiring manufacturers to provide repair information, parts, tools, and software to independent repair shops and equipment owners. It aims to reduce long repair wait times—often 4 to 7 weeks—that can severely impact users’ health, safety, and independence.
- Requires mobility equipment manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, and tools to independent repair providers and equipment owners on fair and reasonable terms and costs.
- Defines key terms such as mobility equipment, independent repair provider, documentation, embedded software, and fair and reasonable terms and costs to clarify obligations.
- Prohibits manufacturers from blocking access to repair information or tools, except for protecting trade secrets or when parts are no longer produced for authorized providers.
- Clarifies that independent repairs do not void warranties and that manufacturers are not liable for damage caused by unauthorized repairs unless due to design or manufacturing defects.
- Makes violations of the law enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act, allowing the attorney general to take legal action.
Who is affected
- People with physical disabilities — People with physical disabilities who rely on power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or power assist devices may face long wait times for repairs; this bill aims to shorten repair times by expanding access to parts, tools, and repair information.
- Senior citizens — Older adults and seniors who use mobility equipment may benefit from faster repairs, helping them maintain independence and access to community, healthcare, and social services.
- Developmentally delayed children — Children with developmental delays who use mobility devices may experience delays in school or therapy if repairs take too long; this bill helps ensure timely repairs.
- Independent repair providers — Small independent repair shops and technicians who currently lack access to manufacturer-provided parts, tools, or documentation may gain new opportunities to serve customers directly.
- Mobility equipment manufacturers — Manufacturers of mobility equipment must now provide access to repair information, parts, tools, and software on fair and reasonable terms, potentially increasing their service and support obligations.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
People with disabilities and seniors who rely on mobility equipment will experience significantly shorter repair wait times—reducing from 4–7 weeks to likely under 1 week—reducing risks of secondary health complications (e.g., pressure sores, falls, urinary tract infections) and enabling continued access to healthcare appointments, employment, and education.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 3Free access to tools and documentation empowers owners—including low-income individuals and seniors on fixed incomes—to perform basic repairs themselves or use local independent shops, avoiding costly rental replacements or extended institutional care during equipment downtime.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(7)(a)(iii)The bill explicitly preserves warranty rights for owners who use independent repairs, countering industry practices that void warranties for DIY or third-party fixes—restoring consumer autonomy and reducing coercion by manufacturers.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 5(2)Independent repair shops and technicians—many of whom are small businesses, veterans, or workers without four-year degrees—gain new market opportunities and job stability by competing on equal footing with OEM service centers.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 6(1)
Potential Concerns (3)
Independent repair providers may face increased compliance costs related to documentation access (e.g., printing, handling physical tool shipments), which could disproportionately burden micro-businesses and sole proprietors with limited margins.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(7)(a)(ii)The limitation on access to non-documentation information (e.g., diagnostic software, calibration tools) may still restrict independent repair capabilities, especially for complex equipment, reducing the bill’s real-world impact despite its scope.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(4)Enforcement is limited to the Attorney General under the Consumer Protection Act, which may result in inconsistent or under-resourced enforcement, especially compared to private right-of-action models used in other states.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 6(2)
Who Is Most Affected
People with physical disabilities—especially those on fixed incomes, Medicaid, or Medicare—will benefit most: shorter repair times directly reduce health risks, hospitalizations, and reliance on institutional care. The bill’s focus on owner access also empowers self-repair, which is critical for those without local OEM service options.
Seniors on fixed incomes benefit significantly: faster repairs help maintain independence, reduce isolation, and prevent premature nursing home placement. However, those without digital literacy may still face barriers to self-repair without community support.
Children with developmental delays benefit from timely school-based therapy and mobility access. However, schools and districts may need to coordinate with repair providers—requiring new logistics or training—though costs are likely minimal.
Independent repair shops (especially micro-businesses and sole proprietors) gain new revenue streams and market access. However, some may lack capital to invest in tools or training, and the bill does not include subsidies or technical assistance to bridge that gap.
Manufacturers face increased compliance costs (e.g., documentation management, tool distribution), but these are likely modest relative to revenue and offset by expanded service markets. The bill does not restrict pricing for parts, so profit margins remain intact.