The Right to Repair Act is bipartisan legislation that would require automakers to make available the same service information and tools to independent auto repair shops, as well as to consumers, that the automaker dealership service centers receive. It would protect 32,000 Massachusetts jobs while still protecting car company trade secrets.

Big car manufacturers are trying to protect their profits by denying local auto technicians access to repair and diagnostic information and specialized tools that they currently provide only to their franchised dealers. But getting your car fixed at a dealership costs on average 34% more than at an independent repair shop. It’s time for our legislators to stand up for independent, small businesses, instead of big out-of-state corporations.

Take a stand with us by telling your legislator to support Right to Repair legislation to give every auto technician access to the same information, so you can get your car serviced where you want, saving an estimated $300-500.

Here is the actual language of the “Right to Repair” initiative petition for a ballot question that is now before the legislature- H. 3882. Lawmakers have until May 1, 2012 to pass it. If not, then voters will have their opportunity on November’s statewide ballot. So it’s not too late to go to our “TAKE ACTION” section on the homepage and let your elected officials know you want choice, convenience and savings!

An Initiative Petition

An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles

Be it enacted by the People, and by their authority, as follows:

SECTION 1. The General Laws of Massachusetts shall be amended by inserting after chapter 93I the following new chapter 93J:-

Chapter 93J

Massachusetts right to repair act

Section 1 defines the meaning of all terms in the legislation.

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, have the following meanings:
“Authorized repair facility”, a person or business operating in the commonwealth that is affiliated, by contract or otherwise, with an authorized dealer or motor vehicle manufacturer and is engaged in the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines.
“Dealer”, a person or business authorized by a manufacturer to lease or sell the manufacturer’s new motor vehicles at retail; provided, however, that the dealer is also engaged in the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines.
“Immobilizer system”, an electronic device equipped on a vehicle for the sole purpose of preventing the theft of that vehicle by preventing a vehicle from being started unless the correct key code is present.
“Independent repair facility”, a person or business operating in the commonwealth engaged in the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines and that is not affiliated with a manufacturer or a dealer.
“Manufacturer”, any person or business engaged in the business of manufacturing or assembling new motor vehicles.
“Owner”, a person or business who owns, leases or otherwise has the legal right to use and possess a motor vehicle or the agent of that person.
“Trade secret”, anything tangible or intangible or electronically kept or stored, which constitutes, represents, evidences or records a secret scientific, technical, merchandising, production or management information, design, process, procedure, formula, invention or improvement.

Section 2 says beginning in 2015, car manufacturers cannot sell a motor vehicle in Massachusetts unless they provide the car owner with access to the same diagnostic and repair information as its franchised dealers.  Further, manufacturers must provide this access through the worldwide web or “cloud” based technology at a price that is not unfairly greater than what their dealers pay, and made available for an hourly, daily, monthly or annual subscription.  This information would be accessible using the J2534 universal interface tool, making the delivery of the information not unlike downloading an app to your laptop or smartphone. The close of this section requires that security-related information would only be accessible through existing secure channels approved by law enforcement.

Section 2.  Commencing with new motor vehicle model year 2015 and thereafter, no manufacturer of a motor vehicle may sell or lease or offer for sale or lease, directly or through a dealer, a new motor vehicle without affording to the owner access to the same diagnostic and repair information relative to said new motor vehicle that the manufacturer makes available to its dealers and authorized repair facilities.

The manufacturer shall maintain a diagnostic and repair information system which shall enable the owner of the motor vehicle or the owner’s designated independent repair facility, the capability to utilize such system via the worldwide web or other electronically available manufacturer repair information system on a hourly, daily, monthly or yearly subscription basis at cost and terms that are no greater than fair market value and nondiscriminatory as compared with the terms and costs charged to dealers or authorized repair facilities.

Manufacturers shall provide access to their diagnostic and repair information system through a non-proprietary vehicle interface that complies with SAE J2534 as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR § 86.1808-01(f). The manufacturer’s diagnostic and repair information system shall provide the same diagnostic and repair information, including technical updates, which the manufacturer makes available to its dealers and authorized motor vehicle repair facilities. The content of said diagnostic and repair information system shall be in the same form and shall be accessed in the same manner as is available to dealers and authorized motor vehicle repair facilities utilizing said information system. Manufacturers shall exclude diagnostic, service and repair information necessary to reset a vehicle immobilizer system. Information necessary to reset a vehicle immobilizer system shall be obtained by dealers, authorized motor vehicle repair facilities, motor vehicle owners and independent motor vehicle repair facilities through the secure data release model system as currently used by the National Automotive Service Task Force or other known, reliable and accepted law enforcement Internet-based systems.

Section 3 says that for vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2015, car companies must also sell all repair and diagnostic information to independent repairers or car owners.

Section 3. For vehicles manufactured from 2002 through the model year 2014, a manufacturer of motor vehicles sold in the commonwealth shall make available for purchase by owners of motor vehicles manufactured by the manufacturer and by independent repair facilities the same diagnostic and repair information, including repair technical updates, that the manufacturer makes available to its dealers and authorized repair facilities through the manufacturer’s world wide web diagnostic and repair information system or other electronically available manufacturers repair information system.

All content of said repair information system shall be made available to owners and to independent repair facilities in the same form and manner and to the same extent as is made available to dealers and authorized repair facilities utilizing said repair information system.

Manufacturers shall exclude diagnostic, service and repair information necessary to reset a vehicle immobilizer system. Information necessary to reset a vehicle immobilizer system shall be obtained by dealers, authorized repair facilities, owners, and independent repair facilities through the secure data release model system as currently used by the National Automotive Service Task Force or other known, reliable and accepted law enforcement Internet-based systems.

Access to the manufacturer’s diagnostic and repair information system shall be available for purchase by owners and independent repair facilities on an hourly, daily, monthly or yearly subscription basis and at cost and terms that are no greater than fair market value and nondiscriminatory as compared with the terms and costs charged to dealers or authorized repair facilities.

Each manufacturer shall make available for purchase by owners and independent repair facilities all diagnostic repair tools incorporating the same diagnostic, repair and wireless capabilities that the manufacturer makes available to its dealers and authorized motor vehicle repair facilities. These tools shall incorporate the same functional repair capabilities that the manufacturer makes available to dealers and authorized repair facilities. The cost and other terms of any sale of such tools to owners and to independent repair facilities shall be no greater than fair market value and nondiscriminatory as compared to the terms and costs charged to dealers or authorized repair facilities.

Section 4 protects car manufacturer’s intellectual property and trade secrets.  We do not want the blueprints, just the information necessary to fix the car.

Section 4. Nothing in this chapter shall require a motor vehicle manufacturer to divulge a trade secret.

Section 5 protects agreements between the car manufacturers and their franchised dealers.

Section 5. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted or construed to abrogate, interfere with, contradict or alter the terms of any agreement made by a manufacturer, dealer, or authorized repair facility executed and in force as of the effective date of this chapter. On and after January 1, 2013, no person shall make or enter an agreement that purports to waive, avoid, restrict or limit a manufacturer’s compliance with this chapter and any such agreement shall be void and unenforceable.

Sections 6 says that violation of this law would constitute an unfair or deceptive practice.

Section 6. Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed to be an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce in violation of section 2 of chapter 93A. In the event of a dispute concerning the determination of fair market value under this chapter, the parties may agree to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association or, absent such agreement, either party may initiate an action in the superior court for relief under chapter 231A.

Bill Sponsors

More than 60 Massachusetts lawmakers, from both sides of the aisle and all parts of the state, have sponsored the Right to Repair bill (as originally filed at S. 104 and H. 102).

Senate Co-Sponsors

• SEN. JACK HART, SOUTH BOSTON, PRIMARY SENATE SPONSOR - FIRST SUFFOLK. Boston, ward 1, precinct 15, wards 6, 7 and 13, ward 14, precincts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 to 14, inclusive, wards 15, 16 and 17, ward 18, precincts 1 to 6, inclusive, and 21.
• Sen. Jennifer Flanagan - WORCESTER AND MIDDLESEX. Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Bolton, Clinton, precincts 1 and 2, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Sterling and Westminster, in the county of Worcester; and Ashby and Townsend, in the county of Middlesex.
• Sen. Robert Hedlund - PLYMOUTH AND NORFOLK. — Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell and Scituate, in the county of Plymouth; and Cohasset and Weymouth, in the county of Norfolk.
• Sen. Michael Knapik - SECOND HAMPDEN AND HAMPSHIRE. — Chicopee, ward 1, precincts A and B, ward, 3, precincts A to C, inclusive, ward 6, precincts A and B, ward 7, precincts A and B, ward 8, precincts A and B, ward 9, precincts A and B, Holyoke, Westfield, Blandford, Chester, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland, in the county of Hampden; and Easthampton and Southampton, in the county of Hampshire.
• Sen. Thomas McGee – THIRD ESSEX AND MIDDLESEX. — Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, precincts 1, 3 to 5, inclusive, 7 to 9, inclusive, and Swampscott, in the county of Essex; and Melrose,wards 6 and 7, in the county of Middlesex.
• Sen. Michael Moore - SECOND WORCESTER. Worcester, wards 5 to 8, inclusive, Auburn, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury and Upton
• Sen. Anthony Petrucelli - FIRST SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX. – Boston, ward 1, precincts 1 to 14, inclusive, ward 3, precincts 1 to 6, inclusive, and ward 5, precinct 3, Revere, wards 1 to 5, inclusive, and Winthrop, in the county of Suffolk; and Cambridge, wards 1 and 2, ward 3, precincts 1 and 3, wards 4 and 5, and ward 8, precinct 3, in the county of Middlesex.
• Sen. Richard Ross - NORFOLK, BRISTOL AND MIDDLESEX. — Franklin, precincts 2 to 4, inclusive, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Wellesley, precincts B, F and G, and Wrentham, in the county of Norfolk; Attleboro, wards 1 and 2, ward 3, precinct A, and North Attleborough, in the county of Bristol; and Natick, precincts 6, 7, 9 and 10, Sherborn and Wayland, in the county of Middlesex
• Sen. James Timilty - BRISTOL AND NORFOLK. Attleboro, ward 3, precinct B, ward 4, precincts A and B, ward 5, precincts A and B, ward 6, precincts A and B, Mansfield, Norton, Rehoboth and Seekonk, in the county of Bristol; and Dover, Foxborough, Medfield, Sharon, precincts 1, 4 and 5, and Walpole, in the county of Norfolk.
• Sen. James Welch - HAMPDEN — Chicopee, ward 2, precincts A to D, inclusive, ward 4, precincts A to C, inclusive, ward 5, precincts A and B, and Springfield, wards 1, 3 and 4, ward 5, precincts A and B, ward 6, and Agawam and West Springfield.
• Sen. Daniel Wolf - CAPE AND ISLANDS.— Barnstable, precincts 1 to 9, inclusive, and 13, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and Yarmouth, in the county of Barnstable; Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury, in the county of Dukes County; and Nantucket, in the county of Nantucket.

House Co-Sponsors