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S 2664

Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Ortt and 1 co-sponsor

Mass. S 2664: RMV must check for open recalls before issuing/renewing registrations, notify owners of recalls, and deny renewal until recalls are repaired, with exemptions.

REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2664

Summary — S 2664 (2025): An Act relative to vehicle recalls

Note on content: the bill title provided in the packet (“Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances”) does not match the bill text. The actual bill text of S 2664 amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 to require the registry of motor vehicles to check for and act on open vehicle safety recalls when issuing or renewing registrations. This summary describes the vehicle‑recall provisions contained in the bill text.

Main purpose

To increase owner awareness of open safety recalls and to condition issuance or renewal of a motor vehicle registration on the remedial repair of open safety recalls, subject to specific exemptions.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 7A 1/2 to Chapter 90 (Registry of Motor Vehicles duties).
  • Definitions:
    • “Open safety recall”: a safety‑related recall reported under 49 U.S.C. §30119 that requires repair by an authorized dealer (excludes labeling/manual notifications and recalls where remedy is repurchase or financial compensation).
    • “Registration”: registration, renewal, or transfer of registration.
  • Data check: Prior to issuing a registration or mailing a renewal notice, the Registrar must check NHTSA information to determine whether the vehicle has an open safety recall.
  • Notice requirements: If a vehicle has open recalls, the Registrar must provide written notice of all applicable open recalls at registration or include recall information in the renewal notice. Notices must:
    • Describe each open recall;
    • State that recalls may be repaired at no cost by a manufacturer‑authorized dealer (except as provided in 49 U.S.C. §30120);
    • State that, except for specified exemptions, the Registrar will not issue a registration certificate until each open recall is repaired.
  • Owner responsibility and enforcement:
    • Owners must obtain necessary repairs before the next registration renewal.
    • The Registrar shall deny renewal applications for vehicles with open recalls that have not been remedied within the time allowed.
    • The Registrar must send a notice between 50 and 80 calendar days before registration expiration listing open recalls that must be remedied to reregister.
  • Exemptions from denial (Registrar must not deny registration if any apply):
    1. Manufacturer has not made a remedy available.
    2. Replacement parts are not readily available to the manufacturer’s state dealer network.
    3. Vehicle needs non‑recall repairs to enable application of the remedy.
    4. Aftermarket modifications prevent application of the remedy.
    5. Owner self‑certifies circumstances beyond control or undue hardship prevented having the recall remedied.
  • Liability: The section does not alter manufacturer or dealer common‑law liability.

Who is affected

  • Vehicle owners and registrants in Massachusetts (may face denial of registration until recall fixed).
  • Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (new data‑checking, notice and enforcement duties).
  • Vehicle manufacturers and franchised dealers (responsible for supplying remedies and performing repairs).
  • Potentially third‑party repair shops to the extent repairs require dealer action or parts.

Procedural/timeline information

  • Introduced: August 1, 2025 (read twice and referred to Finance).
  • Reported from Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committee: November 10, 2025 (new draft of S291; reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways and Means).
  • Status lines include an anomalous referral to Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders (likely a clerical/data inconsistency).
  • Sponsor listed in packet: Jon Ossoff (primary).
  • Related prior‑session bills: S 3407, S 3621, S 910.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely to increase recall completion rates and improve vehicle safety by creating a registration‑based compliance incentive.
  • May impose administrative burden on the RMV to check and notify using NHTSA data and to process denials.
  • Could produce temporary inequities if remedies/parts are unavailable (the bill contains exemptions for these situations).
  • The owner self‑certification exemption raises questions about verification, fraud prevention, and appeals; the bill text does not specify an audit or appeal process.
  • Interaction with federal recall law (49 U.S.C. §§30119, 30120) is acknowledged but may require coordination with manufacturers and NHTSA.

If you want, I can draft a one‑page explainer for vehicle owners or a short memo identifying likely operational steps the RMV would need to implement this law.

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

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