H-3925              _______________________________________________

 

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1501

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Wang, Patrick, Sayan, Zellinsky, O'Brien, Gallagher, Smith, Schoon, Fisher, Walker, Cole, Lux and Doty

 

 

Read first time 1/18/88 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to motor vehicle aftermarket crash parts; amending RCW 46.71.080 and 46.71.090; adding a new section to chapter 46.71 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.30 RCW; and providing an effective date.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 46.71 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) If an automotive repairman prepares an estimate based on use of any aftermarket crash parts, the estimate shall identify the aftermarket crash parts and shall include the following notice in no smaller than ten-point type, marked as to the applicable provision:

 

"This estimate has been prepared based on the use of motor vehicle crash parts that were supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle.  Use of such parts may affect any remaining warranties of the original manufacturer.  Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of any warranty for such parts for comparison purposes.

 

@id¨ The parts have been certified to be at least the same quality as the parts being replaced.  !sc_,10 (customer's consent)

 

@id¨ The parts have not been certified to be at least the same quality as the parts being replaced.  !sc_,10 (customer's consent)"

 

          (2) The automotive repairman shall provide the estimate to the customer and upon request shall provide the customer with a copy of any warranty for any aftermarket crash parts listed in the estimate.  An automotive repairman shall not supply or install any aftermarket crash part for which the automotive repairman has prepared an estimate unless the automotive repairman has obtained the customer's consent by signature in the appropriate blank on the estimate.

          (3) An original equipment manufacturer supplying a crash part shall warrant that the part meets the same quality standards used in manufacturing the original equipment being replaced.

          (4) For purposes of this section, "aftermarket crash part" means a motor vehicle replacement part, sheet metal or plastic, that constitutes the visible exterior of the vehicle, including an inner or outer panel, is generally installed as the result of a collision, and is not supplied by the original equipment manufacturer.

          (5) For purposes of this section, "certified" means tested and approved by an independent test facility having the capability to scientifically analyze automotive parts to be the same kind of part as the part being replaced and at least the same quality with respect to fit, finish, function, and corrosion resistance.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 48.30 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) If an insurer prepares an estimate based on use of any aftermarket crash parts, the estimate shall identify the aftermarket crash parts and shall include the following notice in no smaller than ten-point type, marked as to the applicable provision:

 

"This estimate has been prepared based on the use of motor vehicle crash parts that were supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle.  Use of such parts may affect any remaining warranties of the original manufacturer.  Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of any warranty for such parts for comparison purposes.

 

@id¨ The parts have been certified to be at least the same quality as the parts being replaced.  !sc_,10 (owner's consent)

 

@id¨ The parts have not been certified to be at least the same quality as the parts being replaced.  !sc_,10 (owner's consent)"

 

          (2) The insurer shall provide the estimate to the registered owner and upon request shall provide the registered owner with a copy of any warranty for any aftermarket crash parts listed in the estimate.  An insurer shall not require, directly or indirectly, the use of any aftermarket crash part for which the insurer has prepared an estimate unless the insurer has obtained the registered owner's consent by signature in the appropriate blank on the estimate.

          (3) For purposes of this section, "aftermarket crash part" means a motor vehicle replacement part, sheet metal or plastic, that constitutes the visible exterior of the vehicle, including an inner or outer panel, is generally installed as the result of a collision, and is not supplied by the original equipment manufacturer.

          (4) For purposes of this section, "certified" means tested and approved by an independent test facility having the capability to scientifically analyze automotive parts to be the same kind of part as the part being replaced and at least the same quality with respect to fit, finish, function, and corrosion resistance.

          (5) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair act or practice affecting the public interest under chapter 19.86 RCW.

 

        Sec. 3.  Section 10, chapter 62, Laws of 1982 and RCW 46.71.080 are each amended to read as follows:

          Whenever a vehicle license renewal form under RCW 46.16.210 is given to the registered owner of any vehicle, the department of licensing shall give to the owner written notice of the provisions of ((this chapter)) RCW 46.71.010 through 46.71.070 in a manner prescribed by the director of licensing.

 

        Sec. 4.  Section 11, chapter 62, Laws of 1982 and RCW 46.71.090 are each amended to read as follows:

          When the department of revenue issues a registration certificate under RCW 82.32.030 to an automotive repairman, it shall give written notice to the person of the requirements of ((this chapter)) RCW 46.71.010 through 46.71.070 in a manner prescribed by the director of revenue.  The department of revenue shall thereafter give the notice on an annual basis in conjunction with the business and occupation tax return provided to each person holding a registration certificate as an automotive repairman.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.     If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.     This act shall take effect January 1, 1989.