BILL REQ. #:  S-3425.1 

Read first time 01/09/12.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.

     AN ACT Relating to home appliance warranties; and adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Consumer" means any person who has entered into an agreement or contract for the lease or purchase of a new home appliance other than for purposes of resale or sublease.
     (2) "Extended warranty" means an agreement for a specified duration to perform the replacement or repair of a home appliance at no additional charge or a reduced charge for the home appliance, labor, or both, or to provide indemnification for the replacement or repair of the home appliance, based on the occurrence of specified events. "Extended warranty" does not include an agreement, otherwise meeting the definition of extended warranty in this subsection, if no separate charge is made for the agreement and the value of the agreement is included in the sales price of the home appliance covered by the agreement.
     (3) "Home appliance" includes air conditioners, boilers, compactors, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, dryers, exhaust fans, freezers, furnaces, garbage disposals, humidifiers, microwave ovens, range/over hoods, ranges, refrigerators, thermostats, washing machines, and water heaters.
     (4) "Life expectancy" means the number of years a home appliance is expected to perform for the intended use in which it was designed and when used in the usual and customary manner.
     (5) "Manufacturer" means a company that directly manufactures, produces, or assembles a home appliance in whole or substantial part, but does not include contracting with or otherwise engaging another person, or that person engaging another person, to develop, manufacture, produce, or assemble an article or product subject to section 2 of this act.
     (6) "Repair and maintenance costs" means the cost incurred by the consumer in connection with the repair or maintenance of the home appliance during the average life of the home appliance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If a manufacturer offers an extended warranty on a home appliance, the manufacturer of the home appliance at the time of purchase must provide the consumer with a written statement of the estimated life expectancy and estimated repair and maintenance costs of the home appliance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Nothing in this chapter limits the consumer from pursuing other rights or remedies under any other law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.