HHP Bill Amended on April 21st, 2014
The HHP sponsored bill SB 1326 (Roth) successfully passed out the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee during the Monday, April 7 hearing with unanimous, bipartisan consent. On Monday, April 21st, the bill was amended in the Senate after the email you received yesterday from our office was sent out. Please click here to download the amended version of the bill.
The bill is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, April 29th. HHP needs a STRONG show of support from as many members as possible. So please write your letter of support and submit it by Noon today.
The bill would fix problems with the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act by giving the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (Board) the authority to specify regulations that would clarify warranty provisions in purchase agreements for hearing aids.
The law specifies a 30-day warranty for assistive devices. However, the uniqueness of the fitting process has created ambiguity on when the 30-day period for a warranty begins. According to the warranty language, "If the device is not specifically fit for your [the consumer's] particular needs, it may be returned to the seller within 30 days of the date of actual receipt by you or completion of fitting by the seller, whichever occurs first." Clarification is needed on when the 30-day period begins.
The Board enforces the warranty provisions of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act related to hearing aids, and handles consumer complaints related to warranties. Presently, the 30-day start date is left to interpretation by both buyers and sellers of hearing aids. The vagueness of the language makes it very difficult for the Board to mediate complaints.
If SB 1326 becomes law, the Board will have clear authority to enforce the Song-Beverly Warranty Act as it relates to hearing aids, to the benefit of both consumers and retail sellers of hearing aids. HHP therefore asks it members to support this important legislation.
Amended Text of SB 1326
Fact Sheet
Click here for a sample letter that should be put on your letterhead. Please be sure to add your practice name at the beginning of the letter, print it on your letterhead, sign and fax it to the following:
Tara Welch, Deputy Chief Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee
Fax: (916) 445-8390
Mike Petersen, Consultant, Senate Republican Caucus
Fax: (916) 445-3105
Bryce Docherty
KP Public Affairs
FAX: (916) 448-4923
In order for this support to be reflected in the committee analysis, these letters MUST be received NO LATER THAN 12:00 PM Today, Tuesday, April 22nd.
