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6/30/2025
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New law protects the right to repair wheelchairs, other mobility aids
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STATE HOUSE — Legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney and Rep. Grace Diaz that would protect people’s right to repair their own wheelchairs and other mobility aids has been signed into law.
The act (2025-S 0884, (2025-H 5017A) provides that original power wheelchair equipment manufacturers are required to provide to independent service providers repair information and tools to maintain and repair complex power wheelchairs.
“The problem is it takes far too long for these chairs to be repaired, leaving a person without mobility for months on end,” said Senator McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick). “Frequently, the chairs are so individualized that a loaner chair simply does not do the job. It’s exacerbated by the need for prior authorization, which can also take months. This bill is a good collection of best practices that other states have adopted. It makes it easier for complex power wheelchair users to get repairs done in a timely fashion and allows for self-repair or third-party repair.”
Complex power wheelchair users in particular suffer from manufacturers’ monopoly on parts and repairs. The devices are highly specialized, each with their own branded parts, and are sometimes prone to defects and sudden failure. The market for these wheelchairs has become increasingly concentrated, with a very small number of vendors/distributors controlling the entire marketplace, and having little competitive reason to be responsive to users’ needs. Some chairs even require a software passcode or a physical key for any repairs, and “unauthorized” repairs may void warranties or result in insurance refusing to pay for repairs.
“Shameless corporate greed must not be tolerated in an industry that produces equipment that is essential to the daily lives of people living with disabilities. This legislation will give users and local industry access to the information and parts they need to repair this equipment as quickly as possible,” said Representative Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence).
Former Congressman James Langevin wrote of his own wheelchair experiences and the need for legislation: “Many of the organizations involved in the process of providing repairs on complex power wheelchairs have been under fire by consumers for long wait times and insufficient customer service when it comes to repairs on their wheelchairs. As I have dug into this issue, I have come to learn of the tremendous complexity and bureaucracy built into the system and the need for reform of this broken process to allow repairs on complex power wheelchairs to happen more quickly.”
Under the new law, manufacturers are prohibited from using parts that would prevent installation of any non-manufacturer-approved replacement part or component. Also, a health plan’s coverage and payment is not allowed to require any form of prior authorization or medical documentation to complete repairs for consumer-owned complex rehabilitation technology.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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