This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new article focused on consumer protection regarding warranties for manufactured homes. It establishes that manufacturers are responsible for fulfilling their obligations under express warranties provided to consumers. The bill outlines the definitions of key terms such as "consumer," "dealer," "defect," and "manufacturer," and specifies the duties of manufacturers to repair or replace nonconforming manufactured homes. It also mandates that authorized dealers disclose any significant repairs made to a manufactured home before sale and provides consumers with the right to take civil action against manufacturers if their homes do not conform to warranties.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for a third-party dispute resolution process overseen by the Attorney General, which consumers must initially utilize before pursuing legal action. It ensures that consumers are informed of their rights regarding warranty claims and outlines the remedies available to them, including potential refunds and damages for inconvenience. The legislation emphasizes that any agreements transferring warranty responsibilities from manufacturers to dealers are void and unenforceable, reinforcing the manufacturers' accountability in warranty matters. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance consumer protections and remedies related to manufactured home warranties in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46A-6O-1, 46A-6O-2, 46A-6O-3, 46A-6O-4, 46A-6O-5, 46A-6O-6, 46A-6O-7, 46A-6O-8, 46A-6O-9, 46A-6O-10