Connecticut House Bill HB06654

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/23
• Refer: 2/9/23
• Report Pass: 3/17/23
• Refer: 3/29/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Notice Of Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls.

Impact

This bill will amend existing state laws concerning motor vehicle inspections by incorporating a requirement to provide clearer and more comprehensive communication regarding safety recalls. By ensuring vehicle owners are informed of potentially hazardous issues affecting their vehicles, the law aims to enhance public safety and the overall reliability of vehicle operation. Furthermore, with the requirement for written notices, the legislation aims to keep both consumers and manufacturers accountable regarding vehicle safety.

Summary

House Bill 06654 concerns the notification of motor vehicle safety recalls, aiming to improve consumer awareness and safety. The legislation mandates that any repair person or business conducting maintenance or repair work on a vehicle must check for existing recalls using information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If open recalls are found, the vehicle owner must be informed in writing of these recalls, which details the necessary actions to be taken to remedy the issue at no cost to the owner, barring specific federal exceptions. The bill is set to come into effect on October 1, 2023.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 06654 appears to be generally positive, with support stemming from public safety advocates and consumer protection groups. These stakeholders view the bill as a necessary step toward safeguarding motorists and ensuring that they are adequately informed about the vehicles they operate. However, there might be concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on repair shops and the potential for increased costs associated with compliance.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around the potential impact of these regulations on small independent repair shops. While the intent is to strengthen consumer safety, critics might argue that these new measures could create additional operational challenges for smaller businesses that may not have the same resources as larger dealerships. Balancing consumer protection and operational efficiency for repair shops is likely to be a continuing discussion as the bill moves forward.