Vehicles: towing companies and storage facilities.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to improve consumer protections for vehicle owners when their vehicles are towed or stored. It requires towing companies, storage facilities, and auto body shops to provide clear notices about fees and vehicle owner rights, and it establishes a process for vehicle owners to challenge storage charges and potentially recover their vehicles. The bill also increases penalties for violations and exempts certain towing situations, such as those involving law enforcement agencies.
Key provisions
- Requires towing companies, storage facilities, and auto body shops to post a standardized ‘Towing and Storage Fees and Access Notice’.
- Allows vehicle owners, lienholders, or insurers to post a bond before a vehicle is sold to prevent premature sale.
- Establishes a judicial process for vehicle owners to challenge storage charges and potentially recover their vehicles within 10 days of a release certificate.
- Increases civil penalties for violations to up to three times the amount charged, with a maximum liability of $1,000 per vehicle.
- Prohibits auto body shops from knowingly participating in or profiting from wrongful towing or storage practices.
- Requires the Bureau of Automotive Repair to develop and distribute a notice outlining vehicle owner rights.
- Exempts towing companies and storage facilities when vehicles are towed at the request of specific law enforcement agencies.
- Mandates itemized invoices detailing towing and storage fees, including hourly rates and storage charges.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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