Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2905
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Full Text of SB2905  93rd General Assembly

SB2905 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY


 


 
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2905

 

Introduced 2/6/2004, by Terry Link

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
815 ILCS 308/10
815 ILCS 308/15
815 ILCS 308/20
815 ILCS 308/25
815 ILCS 308/70
815 ILCS 308/75

    Amends the Automotive Collision Repair Act. Changes the definition of the term "automotive collision and body repair facility" to include a person, firm, association, or corporation that engages in the business of estimating the cost of cosmetic repair, structural repair, or refinishing of motor vehicles with defect related to accident or collision. Makes changes concerning disclosures a collision repair facility must present to a consumer when the facility is required to present an estimated price quotation to the consumer. Provides that if it is determined that the estimated price of a repair is insufficient because of unforeseen circumstances, the consumer is entitled to full compensation for additional parts or labor subsequent to a complete diagnosis. Makes changes concerning what constitutes unlawful practice under the Act. Makes other changes.


LRB093 19300 LRD 45036 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2905 LRB093 19300 LRD 45036 b

1     AN ACT concerning business transactions.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Automotive Collision Repair Act is amended
5 by changing Sections 10, 15, 20, 25, 70, and 75 as follows:
 
6     (815 ILCS 308/10)
7     Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
8     "Automotive collision and body repair" means all repairs
9 that are commonly performed by a body repair technician to
10 restore a motor vehicle damaged in an accident or collision to
11 a condition similar to the motor vehicle condition prior to the
12 damage or deterioration including, but not limited to, the
13 diagnosis, installation, exchange, repair, or refinishing of
14 exterior body panels, trim, lighting, and structural chassis.
15 The term does not include commercial fleet repair or
16 maintenance transactions involving 2 or more motor vehicles or
17 ongoing service or maintenance contracts involving motor
18 vehicles used primarily for business purposes.
19     "Automotive collision and body repair facility" means a
20 person, firm, association, or corporation that for
21 compensation engages in the business of cosmetic repair,
22 structural repair, or refinishing of motor vehicles with defect
23 related to accident or collision or in estimating the cost of
24 cosmetic repair, structural repair, or refinishing of motor
25 vehicles with defect related to accident or collision.
26     "New part" means a part or component manufactured or
27 supplied by the original motor vehicle manufacturer in an
28 unused condition.
29     "Used part" means an original motor vehicle manufacturer
30 part or component removed from a motor vehicle of similar make,
31 model, and condition without the benefit of being rebuilt or
32 remanufactured.

 

 

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1     "Rebuilt part" or "reconditioned part" means a used part
2 that has been inspected and remanufactured to restore
3 functionality and performance.
4     "Aftermarket part" means a new part that is not
5 manufactured or supplied by the original motor vehicle
6 manufacturer for addition to, or replacement of, exterior body
7 panel or trim.
8 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
9     (815 ILCS 308/15)
10     Sec. 15. Disclosure to consumers; estimates.
11     (a) No work for compensation that exceeds $100 shall be
12 commenced without specific authorization from the consumer
13 after the disclosure set forth in this Section.
14     (b) Every motor vehicle collision repair facility shall
15 either (i) give to each consumer a written estimated price for
16 labor and parts for a specific repair and shall not charge for
17 work done or parts supplied in an amount that exceeds the
18 estimate by more than 10% without oral or written consent from
19 the consumer; or (ii) give to each consumer a written price
20 limit for each specific repair and shall not exceed that limit
21 without oral or written consent of the consumer. The estimate
22 shall include the total costs to repair the motor vehicle.
23     Estimates shall include all charges to be paid by the
24 consumer to complete the repair, including any charges for
25 estimates, diagnostics, storage, and administrative fees.
26     (c) Motor vehicle collision repair facilities shall
27 describe in the estimate the major parts needed to effectuate
28 the repair and shall designate the parts as either new parts,
29 used parts, rebuilt or reconditioned parts, or aftermarket
30 parts as set forth in Section 10 of this Act.
31     (d) Estimates shall indicate that the collision repair
32 facility may use a combination of industry standard flat rate
33 (time) manuals, actual time, or condition of the motor vehicle
34 to determine labor costs. This disclosure mandate may also be
35 fulfilled by means of a sign that provides the same information

 

 

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1 to the consumer. The sign shall be posted at a location that
2 can be easily viewed by the consumer.
3     (e) If it is necessary to disassemble or partially
4 disassemble a motor vehicle or motor vehicle component in order
5 to provide the consumer a written estimate for required
6 repairs, the estimate shall show the cost of any disassembly,
7 diagnostics, storage, and administrative fees if the consumer
8 elects not to proceed with the repair of the motor vehicle.
9     (f) The estimate shall include the date the estimate was
10 prepared or the date the motor vehicle was presented to the
11 collision repair facility for repair and the odometer reading
12 on the motor vehicle at the time the estimate was prepared
13 motor vehicle was left with the collision repair facility.
14 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
15     (815 ILCS 308/20)
16     Sec. 20. Notice of consumer's rights; estimate. When an
17 estimate is required to be presented to a consumer, a collision
18 repair facility shall disclose to the prospective consumer an
19 estimated price quotation with the following statement
20 included or attached with the consumer's signature:
21     "You are entitled to a price estimate for the repairs
22 needed to restore your vehicle to a condition similar to the
23 motor vehicle condition prior to the damage or deterioration."
24 you have authorized. The repair price may be less than the
25 estimate but shall not exceed: (1) any price limited estimate;
26 or (2) any parts or labor estimate by more than 10%. Additional
27 repairs may not be performed without your consent.
28     You may waive your right to notification, which gives the
29 collision repair facility the right to set the price without
30 your permission. Your signature will indicate your selection.
31     (a) I request an estimate in writing before you begin
32 repairs.
33     Signature .......................
34     (b) Please proceed with repairs but call me for approval
35 before continuing if the price exceeds $..............

 

 

SB2905 - 4 - LRB093 19300 LRD 45036 b

1     Signature ......................
2     (c) I do not want an estimate and you may set the price of
3 repairs.
4     Signature ....................
5     Date..............    Time.....................
6     This estimated price for authorized repairs will be honored
7 if the motor vehicle is delivered to the facility within the
8 time period agreed to by the consumer and the collision repair
9 facility."
10 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
11     (815 ILCS 308/25)
12     Sec. 25. Estimated price insufficient. If it is determined
13 that the estimated price is insufficient because of unforeseen
14 circumstances, the consumer is entitled to full compensation
15 for additional parts or labor subsequent to a complete
16 diagnosis. consumer's consent must be obtained before the work
17 estimated is done or parts estimated are supplied. If the
18 consumer's consent is oral, the motor vehicle collision repair
19 facility shall make a notation on the work order or estimate
20 and on the invoice of the date, time, name of person
21 authorizing the additional repairs, and telephone number
22 called, if any, together with a specification of the additional
23 parts and labor and the total additional cost.
24 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
25     (815 ILCS 308/70)
26     Sec. 70. Unlawful practice acts or practices. The Each of
27 the following practice acts or practices is unlawful when
28 committed by a motor vehicle collision repair facility:
29     A pattern or practice of preparing written estimates that
30 underestimate the final cost of repairs as established by a
31 reasonable basis. For the purpose of this Section, a reasonable
32 basis means (i) that the repair service is consistent with
33 specifications established by law or by the manufacturer of the
34 motor vehicle, component, or part or (ii) that the repair is in

 

 

SB2905 - 5 - LRB093 19300 LRD 45036 b

1 accordance with usual and customary practices.
2         (1) Advertising in a false, deceptive, or misleading
3     manner.
4         (2) Charging a consumer for parts not delivered or
5     installed or a labor operation or repair procedure that has
6     not actually been performed.
7         (3) Unauthorized operation of a consumer's motor
8     vehicle for purposes not related to repair or diagnosis.
9         (4) Failing or refusing at the time of sale to provide
10     a consumer, upon request, a copy at no charge, of any
11     document signed by the consumer.
12         (5) Retaining duplicative payment from both the
13     consumer and warranty or insurance proceeds, but not
14     limited to, for the same covered component, part, or labor
15     in excess of collision repair facility final repair
16     charges.
17         (6) Charging a consumer for unnecessary repairs. For
18     purposes of this paragraph, "unnecessary repairs" means
19     those repairs for which there is not reasonable basis for
20     performing the service. A reasonable basis includes: (i)
21     that the repair service is consistent with specifications
22     established by law or the manufacturer of the motor
23     vehicle, component, or part; (ii) that the repair is in
24     accordance with usual and customary practices; (iii) that
25     the repair was performed at the specific request of the
26     consumer after the recommendation is not in accordance with
27     manufacturer or accepted trade practices; or (iv) that the
28     repair is at the consumer's request.
29         (7) Misrepresenting the terms of a warranty,
30     guarantee, or service agreement.
31         (8) Altering a motor vehicle to create a condition
32     requiring repair.
33         (9) Failing to honor a warranty, guarantee, or service
34     agreement to which the collision repair facility is party.
35         (10) Charging or receiving payment for repairs not
36     authorized by the consumer under Section 15, 20, 25, 30,

 

 

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1     35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60.
2         (11) A pattern or practice of preparing written
3     estimates underestimating the final costs of repairs.
4 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
5     (815 ILCS 308/75)
6     Sec. 75. Violations. Whenever an automotive collision
7 repair facility is knowingly engaged in or has knowingly
8 engaged in a persistent practice or pattern of conduct at a
9 single location that violates this Act, that, knowingly,
10 persistent practice or pattern of conduct shall be deemed an
11 unlawful act or practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive
12 Business Practices Act. In the case of knowing, persistent
13 practice, or pattern of conduct, all remedies, penalties, and
14 authority available to the Attorney General and the several
15 State's Attorneys under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive
16 Business Practices Act for the enforcement of that Act shall be
17 available for the enforcement of this Act.
18 (Source: P.A. 93-565, eff. 1-1-04.)