SB 778: Automotive repair: oil changes: notification to customers.

Existing law, the Automotive Repair Act, provides for the registration and regulation of automotive repair dealers by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (bureau), which is under the supervision and control of the Director of Consumer Affairs (director). Existing law requires repair dealers to give the customer a written estimated price for labor and parts necessary for a specific job. Existing law defines terms for purposes of these provisions. Existing law makes a violation of that act, except as specified, punishable as a misdemeanor.

This bill would recast these provisions as the Automotive Repair and Maintenance Act and would provide for the registration and regulation of automotive maintenance providers, as defined, in a manner similar to the provisions regarding automotive repair dealers. The bill would establish fee requirements as well as procedures to be implemented by the director for granting, suspending, or revoking the registration of an automotive maintenance provider. The bill would require an automotive maintenance provider to provide a customer with a detailed written invoice for work performed and to maintain records specified by regulations adopted under these provisions. The bill would require the bureau to design and approve a sign to be placed in each automotive provider location containing information for contacting the bureau if the customer has questions about the service provided. The bill would define various terms for purposes of these provisions and would recast the definition of repair of motor vehicles to delete the listing of various types of excluded minor services and to specify that minor services do not include the changing of propulsive batteries. The bill would similarly recast the definition of automotive technician to delete provisions describing the specific work to be performed by an automotive technician. The bill, commencing January 1, 2018, would define additional terms relating to automotive repair and servicing work for purposes of these provisions. The bill would require the director to adopt regulations prior to January 1, 2018, defining minor services for these purposes. The bill would provide that the regulations adopted by the director, prior to January 1, 2018, defining minor services continue in effect on and after January 1, 2018, as specified. The bill would prohibit a facility from registering as both an automotive repair dealer and an automotive service provider, as specified. The bill would authorize the Department of Consumer Affairs to purchase motor vehicles for the purposes of enforcing these provisions, as specified. The bill would require an automotive repair dealer or an automotive maintenance provider performing oil change services to use the manufacturers published oil drain schedule, except as specified, when recommending an oil change to a customer. The bill would require that an automotive repair dealer or automotive maintenance provider include a written explanation for any recommendation for oil change at an interval other than the interval recommended by the manufacturer, and to include a specified notice to the customer with regard to the manufacturers published oil change recommendations. The bill would permit a customer to choose any oil drain interval that he or she chooses and have that interval reflected in any future recommendations by the automotive repair dealer or automotive maintenance provider. The bill would expand the definition of an existing crime by including automotive maintenance providers within these provisions, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.

The bill would make the operation of its provisions contingent upon the enactment of AB 873 of the 201516 Regular Session.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.