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H 5114

An Act relative to consumer connected devices

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Will Brownsberger and 6 co-sponsors

Massachusetts requires manufacturers to provide a minimum guaranteed period of tech support, security updates, and bug fixes for connected consumer products sold after Jan 1, 2026,

Hearing rescheduled to 06/23/2026 from 10:00 AM-11:35 AM in B-1 Hearing updated to New End Time
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 5114

Overview

  • Bill: H 5114
  • Session: 194th (Massachusetts)
  • Title: An Act relative to consumer connected devices
  • Introduced by: Rep. David M. Rogers and Sen. William N. Brownsberger
  • Committee tracking: Referred to House Rules; reported and referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; Senate concurrence noted; hearing scheduled
  • Effective date for key provisions: For connected consumer products manufactured on or after January 1, 2026

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a new regulatory framework (Chapter 93M) governing internet-connected consumer products sold in Massachusetts.
  • Ensure transparency around product support, including minimum guaranteed timelines for technical support, security updates, and bug fixes.
  • Protect consumers from premature end-of-life decisions or reduced device security by requiring disclosures and ongoing support commitments.
  • Provide remedies for consumers through Massachusetts’ consumer protection and 93A enforcement mechanisms.

Key provisions

Section 1 – Definitions

  • Introduces terms important to the chapter, including:
    • Connected consumer product
    • Consumer, End of life, End of sale
    • Firmware, Minimum guaranteed support time frame
    • Security updates, Technical support, Vulnerability
    • Internet service provider (ISP)
    • Manufacturer / OEM
    • Point of sale (POS)
    • Product web page

Section 2 – Manufacturer disclosures and obligations

  • Minimum guaranteed support period:
    • Applicable to connected consumer products manufactured on or after Jan 1, 2026.
    • Manufacturers must disclose the minimum period during which technical support, security updates, and bug fixes will be provided for essential software, hardware, and firmware.
  • Disclosure requirements (at sale and after):
    • Disclosures must be provided at the point of sale when practicable.
    • Must be clearly displayed on product packaging and on the manufacturer’s website or product-specific page.
    • Must specify the end-of-life date or the duration of support from the sale date.
  • Prohibition on shortening support:
    • Manufacturers may not shorten the disclosed support period after sale; they may extend it with updated disclosures.
  • Consumer notification prior to end of life:
    • At least 6 months before end of the minimum guaranteed support period, manufacturers must notify consumers about the forthcoming end-of-life, including: degraded functionality, cybersecurity risks, performance degradation, reduced interoperability, and other changes.
  • Methods of notification:
    • In-product messaging via apps or user interfaces.
    • Email, if contact data exists.
    • Posting on the product-specific webpage.
  • ISP responsibilities:
    • ISPs that supply or lease these products must ensure continued security updates if still in active deployment.
    • If a product is declared end-of-life, the ISP must replace it (at no cost to the consumer) with a comparable product capable of receiving security updates.

Section 3 – Enforcement and remedies

  • Enforcement:
    • Violations constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice under Chapter 93A.
    • Attorney General gains enforcement powers under Chapter 93A, including rulemaking.
  • Private rights and remedies:
    • Individuals suffering ascertainable losses due to violations may sue under Chapter 93A, Section 9.
    • Recoverable damages include: repair/replacement costs, substitute products, installation/shipping costs, consequential damages, lost income, other documented losses, attorney’s fees, and injunctive or declaratory relief.
  • Additional remedies:
    • Rights and remedies are in addition to any other state or federal remedies.

Affected parties and scope

  • Manufacturers/original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of connected consumer products sold in Massachusetts from 2026 onward.
  • Consumers who purchase or lease connected devices (and their service data about support timelines).
  • Internet service providers (ISPs) that supply or lease such connected devices to consumers.
  • State enforcement bodies (Attorney General) with authority under Chapter 93A to enforce the provisions.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • January 1, 2026: New minimum guaranteed support requirements apply to products manufactured on or after this date.
  • End-of-life notifications: At least 6 months before the end of the guaranteed support period.
  • End-of-sale and end-of-life disclosures: To be clearly disclosed at sale and on packaging/webpages.
  • Enforcement: Violations are subject to Chapter 93A enforcement; private actions permitted with potential damages and injunctive relief.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for 06/23/2026 (as of action history).

Potential impact

  • Increased transparency for consumers regarding how long devices will be supported.
  • Stronger security posture for consumer devices due to mandated ongoing updates and explicit end-of-life planning.
  • Financial and operational considerations for manufacturers and ISPs related to maintaining security updates and potential device replacements at no cost.
  • Expanded consumer remedies and potential litigation avenues under Massachusetts consumer protection law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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