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1997 SESSION
973236761Patrons-- Woods, Gartlan, Miller, Y.B. and Saslaw; Delegates: Crouch, Diamonstein, Heilig, Melvin and Van Landingham
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 39, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-467 through 59.1-471, as follows:
§ 59.1-467. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
"Assistive device dealer" means a person or company that is in the business of selling assistive devices, including a manufacturer who sells assistive technology devices to consumers.
"Assistive device lessor" means a person or company that leases an assistive device to a consumer, or who holds the lessor's rights, under a written lease.
"Assistive technology device," "assistive device," or "device" means any new or used (reconditioned by the manufacturer) device, including a demonstrator, that a consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in this Commonwealth which is used for a major life activity or any other assistive device that enables a person with a disability to communicate, see, hear, or maneuver. These devices include (i) manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and other aids that enhance the mobility of an individual; (ii) hearing aids, telephone communication devices for the deaf (TTD/TTY), assistive listening devices, visual and audible signal systems, and other aides that enhance an individual's ability to communicate; and (iii) voice-synthesized computer modules, optical scanners, talking software, Braille printers, and other devices that enhance a sight-impaired individual's ability to communicate.
"Collateral costs" means expenses incurred by a consumer in connection with the repair of a nonconformity, including the costs of obtaining an alternative assistive device.
"Consumer" means any of the following:
1. The individual who has purchased an assistive device from an assistive device dealer or manufacturer for purposes other than resale;
2. A person to whom the assistive device is transferred for purposes other than resale, if the transfer occurs before the expiration of any warranty applicable to the assistive device, including one established by this chapter;
3. A legal representative of an individual who will use an assistive device for a major life activity or for communicating, seeing, hearing, or maneuvering; or
4. A person who leases an assistive device from an assistive device lessor under a written lease.
"Demonstrator" means an assistive device used primarily for the purpose of demonstration to the public.
"Manufacturer" means a person or company that manufactures or assembles assistive devices and agents of that person or company, including an importer, a distributor, factory branch, distributor branch and any warrantors of the manufacturer's assistive device.
"Nonconformity" means a condition or defect that substantially impairs the use, value or safety of an assistive device, and that is covered by any warranty, including one established by this chapter, applicable to the assistive device or to a component of the assistive device, but does not include a condition or defect that is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification or alteration of the assistive device by a consumer.
"Reasonable attempt to repair" means that within one year after the date of first delivery of the assistive device:
1. The same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times by the manufacturer, assistive device lessor or any of the manufacturer's authorized assistive device dealers, and the nonconformity continues to exist; or
2. The assistive device is out of service for a cumulative total of at least thirty days due to repair by the manufacturer, assistive device lessor or any of the manufacturer's authorized assistive device dealers, all of which is due to warranty nonconformities.
§ 59.1-468. Implied warranty; responsibility for repair, return, or replacement.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to any express warranty furnished by the manufacturer of an assistive device, such manufacturer shall also be deemed to have warranted to any consumer purchasing or leasing such device within this Commonwealth, that for a period of one year from date of first delivery (i) the device, when used as intended, will be free from any condition or defect which substantially impairs the value of the assistive device to the consumer, and (ii) any nonconformity will be repaired (parts and labor) by the manufacturer or its agent, without charge to the consumer.
B. If, after reasonable attempt to repair, any nonconformity is not repaired, the manufacturer shall, at the election of the consumer:
1. Accept return of the assistive technology device and refund to the consumer within fourteen days thereof, the full purchase price and collateral costs; or
2. Replace the assistive technology device with one of comparable value and usefulness within thirty days of such request.
C. The consumer shall, upon request, furnish to the manufacturer, assistive device lessor or any of the manufacturer's authorized assistive device dealers, any endorsements or documents required to transfer title of the assistive device to the manufacturer in conjunction with a return or replacement pursuant to subsection B.
§ 59.1-469. Returned devices; subsequent sale or lease; disclosure.
No assistive device returned by a consumer or assistive device lessor in this Commonwealth or any other state may be sold or leased again in this Commonwealth unless full disclosure of the reason for return is made to any prospective buyer or lessee.
§ 59.1-470. Legal action or arbitration.
A. The remedies afforded by this chapter are cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other legal or equitable remedy otherwise available to the consumer.
B. In addition to any other remedies otherwise available to him, any consumer who suffers loss as a result of any violation of this chapter may bring an action to recover damages. Such damages may also be recovered through the arbitration mechanism described in subsection C.
C. Consumers shall have the option of submitting any disputes arising under the provisions of this chapter to the arbitration mechanism established and administered by the Dispute Resolution Unit of the Office of Consumer Affairs pursuant to subdivision A 5 of § 3.1-14. Such mechanism shall ensure that the arbitration is conducted by a neutral third party whose qualifications and conduct conform to the requirements of Chapter 20.2 (§ 8.01-576.4 et seq.) of Title 8.01. The manufacturer shall participate if the consumer files for arbitration.
§ 59.1-471. Certain actions deemed void.
A. Any manufacturer's exclusion or limitation of the implied warranties or consumer remedies prescribed by this chapter shall be deemed void.
B. Any purported waiver of rights to legal action or arbitration by a consumer within an assistive device purchase agreement shall be deemed void.