(A) If an assistive technology device does not conform to an applicable express warranty and the consumer (1) reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, the assistive technology device lessor, or any of the manufacturer’s authorized assistive technology device dealers and (2) makes the assistive technology device available for repair before one year after first delivery of the assistive technology device to the consumer, the nonconformity must be repaired at the manufacturer’s expense to correct the nonconformity regardless of whether the repairs are made after expiration of the warranty rights period. If in any subsequent proceeding it is determined that the repair did not qualify under this chapter and the manufacturer was not otherwise obligated to repair the assistive technology device, the consumer is liable to the manufacturer for costs of repair actually made by the manufacturer.

(B) If after a reasonable attempt to repair, the nonconformity is not repaired, the manufacturer shall accept return of the assistive technology device and:

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 39-54-40

  • Assistive technology device dealer: means a person who is in the business of selling assistive technology devices. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Assistive technology device lessor: means a person who leases an assistive technology device to a consumer or who holds the lessor's rights under a written lease. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Collateral costs: means expenses incurred by a consumer in connection with the repair of a nonconformity, including the costs of obtaining an alternative assistive technology device if not already provided for in the warranty. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Consumer: means an individual or a public or private agency including, but not limited to, a school district:

    (a) who purchases an assistive technology device from an assistive technology device dealer or manufacturer for purposes other than resale;

    (b) to whom the assistive technology device is transferred for purposes other than resale, if the transfer occurs before the expiration of an express warranty applicable to the assistive technology device;

    (c) who may enforce the warranty; or

    (d) who leases an assistive technology device from an assistive technology device lessor under a written lease. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • device: includes , but is not limited to, manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and other mobility aids for moving, walking, standing, sitting, and positioning; telephone communication devices for the hearing impaired; augmentative communication devices; assistive listening devices, systems, and other aids that enhance an individual's ability to hear; voice synthesized computer modules, optical scanners, talking software, Braille printers, and other devices that enhance a sight impaired individual's ability to communicate; home, vehicle, and workplace modifications, prosthetics, and orthotics; and any other assistive device that enables a person with a disability to communicate, see, hear, or maneuver. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Early termination savings: includes an interest charge that the assistive technology device lessor would have paid to finance the assistive technology device or, if the assistive technology device lessor does not finance the assistive technology device, the difference between the total amount for which the lease obligates the consumer during the period of the lease term remaining after the early termination and the present value of that amount at the date of the early termination. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Manufacturer: includes an importer, a distributor, factory branch, distributor branch, and warrantor of the manufacturer's assistive technology devices, but does not include an assistive technology device, dealer, or assistive technology device lessor. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Nonconformity: means a condition or defect that substantially impairs the intended purpose or safety of an assistive technology device and that is covered by an express warranty applicable to the assistive technology device or to a component of the assistive technology device. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20
  • Reasonable attempt to repair: means if within the term of an express warranty applicable to a new assistive technology device or within one year after first delivery of the assistive technology device to a consumer, whichever is sooner:

    (a) any nonconformity within the warranty that is subject to repair at least two times for any reason by the manufacturer, assistive technology device lessor, or any of the manufacturer's authorized assistive technology device dealers for continuous nonconformity of the product; or

    (b) the assistive technology device is out of service for an aggregate of at least thirty days because of warranty nonconformities. See South Carolina Code 39-54-20

(1) at the direction of a consumer, as defined in § 39-54-20(5)(a), (b), or (c), the manufacturer shall do one of the following:

(a) replace the assistive technology device with a comparable assistive technology device and refund collateral costs; or

(b) refund to the consumer and to any holder of a perfected security interest in the consumer’s assistive technology device, as their interest may appear, the full purchase price paid plus any finance charges, the amount paid by the consumer at the point of sale, and collateral costs; or

(2) at the direction of a consumer, as defined in § 39-54-20(5)(d), the manufacturer shall do the following:

(a) refund to the assistive technology device lessor and to any holder of a perfected security interest in the assistive technology device, as their interest may appear, the current value of the written lease. For purposes of this subitem, the current value of the written lease equals the total amount for which that lease obligates the consumer during the period of the lease remaining after its early termination plus the assistive technology device dealer‘s early termination costs and the value of the assistive technology device at the lease expiration date if the lease sets forth that value, less the assistive technology device lessor’s early termination savings; and

(b) return to the consumer the amount the consumer paid under the written lease plus collateral costs.

(C) To receive a comparable new assistive technology device or a refund due under subsection (B)(1), a consumer, as defined in § 39-54-20(5)(a), (b), or (c), shall offer to transfer possession of the assistive technology device having the nonconformity to the manufacturer of that assistive technology device. No later than thirty days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the consumer with a comparable new assistive technology device or a refund. When the manufacturer provides the new assistive technology device or refund, the consumer shall return the assistive technology device having the nonconformity to the manufacturer, along with any endorsements necessary to transfer legal possession to the manufacturer. A consumer transferring possession of an assistive technology device under this subsection shall transfer possession in the same manner and method that the consumer obtained the device, and if the nonconformity occurs within the warranty period, the manufacturer shall bear the cost of transferring possession of the device.

(D) To receive a refund due under subsection (B)(2):

(1) a consumer, as defined in § 39-54-20(5)(d), shall offer to return the assistive technology device having the nonconformity to the manufacturer of that assistive technology device. No later than thirty days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the refund to the consumer. When the manufacturer provides the refund, the consumer shall return the assistive technology device having the nonconformity to the manufacturer; or

(2) an assistive technology device lessor, as defined in § 39-54-20(3) shall offer to transfer possession of the assistive technology device having the nonconformity to the manufacturer of that assistive technology device. No later than thirty days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the refund to the assistive technology device lessor. When the manufacturer provides the refund, the assistive technology device lessor shall provide any endorsements necessary to transfer legal possession to the manufacturer and all costs due to the consumer as defined in § 39-54-20(5)(d).

No person may enforce the lease against the consumer after the consumer receives the refund due under subsection (B)(2).

(E) No assistive technology device returned by a consumer or assistive technology device lessor in this State under subsection (B) or by a consumer or assistive technology device lessor in another state under a similar law of that state may be sold or leased again in this State unless full disclosure of the reasons for return is made to a prospective buyer or lessee.

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