HB1618--CONSUMERPROTECTIONFORDIGITALELECTRONICS SPONSOR: Seitz Thisbillestablishesthe"DigitalFairRepairAct",whichcovers repairsfordigitalelectronicequipmentsoldorinuseonorafter August28,2024,toproductsthatdependondigitalelectronics embeddedinorattachedtothem.Thebilldefinesseveralterms, includingauthorizedrepairprovider,independentrepairprovider, originalequipmentmanufacturer,andowner. UndertheAct,theoriginalequipmentmanufacturermustmake documentation, parts,andtoolsavailableonfairandreasonable termstoindependentrepairprovidersordigitalelectronic equipmentownersforequipmentandrelatedpartssoldorusedin Missouri,exceptforpartsthatarenolongeravailable. Provisionscoveringelectronicsecuritylocksandothersecurity- relatedfunctionsarealsodescribedintheAct. ViolationsoftheActareunlawfulpracticesunderthe MerchandisingPracticesAct;theAttorneyGeneralisgranted enforcementpowersincludedintheMerchandisingPracticesAct. Tradesecretsarenotrequiredtobedivulgedexceptasnecessary toprovidedocumentation, parts,andtoolsforrepair. TheActcannotbeconstruedtoalterthetermsofarrangements betweenanauthorizedrepairproviderandanoriginalequipment manufacturer,exceptforanytermthatwaivesorrestrictsthe manufacturer's obligationstocomplywiththeAct.Anoriginal equipmentmanufacturerandanauthorizedrepairprovidercannotbe requiredtoprovideownersorindependentrepairprovidersaccess toinformationotherthandocumentationunderanyarrangement betweenthemanufacturerandauthorizedrepairprovider. TheActdoesnotapplytomanufacturersofmotorvehiclesortheir equipment,ortomotorvehicledealers,orproductsorservicesof anyofthemintheircapacityasmanufacturersordealers.