H 4358
An Act relative to wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protection
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Bill overview
This bill establishes requirements for wheelchair repair dealers in Massachusetts and aims to protect consumers who own wheelchairs, particularly complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs. It mandates timely repairs, outlines procedures for repair requests and parts ordering, and requires dealers to maintain accessible contact information. The bill also addresses preauthorization requirements for repairs of these specialized wheelchairs by insurers and health plans, limiting them to cases where the original prescription is more than five years old.
Key provisions
- Wheelchair repair dealers must provide timely repairs, aiming for a response within one business day and parts ordering within three business days.
- Dealers must maintain accessible contact information (email and phone) for repair requests.
- Manufacturers and authorized dealers must fulfill repair orders from their own inventory or through written subcontract agreements with specific requirements.
- Insurers and health plans generally cannot require preauthorization for repairs of complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs unless the original prescription is over five years old.
- Consumers who experience violations of the bill’s provisions have the right to sue for damages, potentially receiving twice the amount of pecuniary loss.
- The Attorney General is responsible for establishing rules and regulations to implement and enforce the bill.
- The definition of ‘complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair’ is explicitly defined within the legislation.
- The bill clarifies the roles of various entities, including Medicaid managed care organizations and primary care clinicians.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Cosponsors
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
Antonio F. D. Cabral
Brian W. Murray
Bruce J. Ayers
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Bill H.4358 194th (Current)
An Act relative to wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protection
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4358
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 8/7/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure |
| 8/7/2025 | House | New draft of H1278 |
| 8/7/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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