Summary
Makes car sellers offer safety options separately from non-safety items, so people can buy important safety features without paying for luxury upgrades.
What problem does this solve?
Car buyers are often forced to buy expensive luxury packages just to get important safety features they want. This bill requires car sellers to offer safety features as standalone options or as standard equipment, not bundled with non-safety upgrades.
Who does this affect?
- Car buyers
- Car manufacturers
- Car dealerships
What does this bill do?
Prohibits bundling safety features
Forbids selling an optional safety feature unless it is offered separately from non-safety features or included as standard equipment for a specific car model.
Requires clear cost disclosure
Mandates that sellers must clearly and obviously tell the buyer the cost of the optional safety feature, separate from any other non-safety items.
Grants enforcement power to the FTC
Treats a violation of this rule as an unfair or deceptive act, allowing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce it.
Allows states to sue violators
Permits state attorneys general to bring civil lawsuits on behalf of their residents to stop illegal practices, get civil penalties, and obtain compensation.
Defines what counts as a safety feature
Specifies that an 'optional safety feature' includes equipment for lane control, collision alerts, driver monitoring, better lighting, and enhanced driver views.
What is the real world impact?
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Makes safety features more accessible and affordable
Allows consumers to purchase specific safety options without being forced to also buy unrelated features like sunroofs or premium sound systems. This makes advanced safety technology available to more people at a lower cost.
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Limits how car companies can package features for sale
Prevents manufacturers from forcing customers to buy expensive trim levels or luxury packages to get key safety features.
When does this start?
The rules would take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.
Prohibition on certain sales practices
The requirement for sellers to offer safety features separately from non-safety features will take effect 180 days after the date the Act is passed.