Right to Repair wins the day in Massachusetts legislature, clears committee

Media Contacts

Digital Right to Repair Act clears important hurdle

MASSPIRG

BOSTON — Acting shortly before a committee deadline that could have killed the bill, the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Joint Committee gave a  favorable report to the Digital Right to Repair Act. If the bill ultimately becomes law, it would combat manufacturers’ near-monopoly on repair by giving the public access to the parts, tools and information needed to fix broken digital devices.

This vote followed a hearing on the bill last October, which included testimony from local repair shops, e-waste recyclers, cybersecurity experts, and supporting members of the Massachusetts legislature. 

Janet Domenitz, executive director of MASSPIRG, issued the following statement: 

This is a big step forward for consumers, for the environment, for sustainability. If the Right to Repair bill becomes law, giving us the right to repair things like cell phones which now get tossed, consumers will save money, landfills and incinerators will have less dangerous waste, and we will save resources. 

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MASSPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good. MASSPIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.