STATEHOUSE (Jan. 13, 2022) – The House Roads and Transportation Committee voted Wednesday to advance State Rep. Karen Engleman's (R-Georgetown) legislation that would add vehicles with handicap accessibility to Indiana's lemon law.
Engleman said vehicles modified for a wheelchair are not covered under Indiana's lemon law, which protects consumers who purchase a defective vehicle. Engleman said she authored this legislation in response to a constituent who used their retirement fund to purchase a handicap-accessible van for their child with cerebral palsy, only to find out the vehicle had numerous issues.
"Those with disabilities and their families have enough to worry about, and I don't want to see another Hoosier get ripped off," Engleman said. "All consumers deserve the same protections under Indiana's lemon law and this bill ensures that happens."
Indiana's lemon law covers new and used vehicles for personal use only within 18 months of initial ownership of the vehicle or before 18,000 total miles, whichever comes first. Indiana vehicle owners who believe their car is a lemon must take it to an authorized dealer for repair and allow for a reasonable number of attempts at fixing it. If the vehicle is unable to be repaired, consumers can file a civil lawsuit for replacement or repurchase of the vehicle.
For more details on Indiana's lemon law, visit the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
House Bill 1073 now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. To learn more and watch legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes most of Harrison County, along with portions of Clark and Floyd counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
