Bill Text: WV SB439 | 2011 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
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Bill Title: Clarifying that filing of manufactured housing complaint with state regulatory board is prerequisite for lawsuit
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-04 - Chapter 118, Acts, Regular Session, 2011 [SB439 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2011-SB439-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
Senate Bill No. 439
(By Senators Prezioso, Yost, Beach, Barnes, Sypolt, Fanning,
Tucker and Plymale)
____________
[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported February
11, 2011.]
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §21-9-11a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9. MANUFACTURED HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS.
(a) Inspection of manufactured housing. When a purchaser or owner of a manufactured home files a written complaint with the board alleging defects in the manufacture, construction or installation of the manufactured home, and any additional information the board considers necessary to conduct an investigation, the board shall, within sixty days, to the extent feasible, cause an inspection of the manufactured home by one or more of its employees or person authorized and supervised by the board. The board shall provide the consumer a written report indicating whether the defects alleged by the complaint constitute violations of federal or state statutory or regulatory standards or good and customary manufacturing standards in the construction, design, manufacture or installation of the manufactured home. If the report indicates that the alleged defectsdo constitute any of
these violations, constitute a violation, the board shall take such
further administrative action as provided for in this article
including, but not limited to, ordering the manufacturer, dealer or
contractor to correct any defects.
(b)Limited period for Period of exclusive administrative
remedy. No purchaser or owner of a manufactured home may file a
civil action seeking monetary recovery or damages for claims
related to or arising out of the manufacture, acquisition, sale or
installation of the manufactured home until the expiration of
ninety days after the consumer or owner has filed a written
complaint with the board. The board has a period of ninety days,
commencing with the date of filing of the complaint, to investigate and take administrative action to order the correction of any
defects in the manufacture or installation of a manufactured home.
A purchaser or owner of a manufactured home may not file any civil
action seeking monetary recovery or damages for claims related to
or arising out of the manufacture, acquisition, sale or
installation of the manufactured home, until the expiration of
ninety days after the consumer or owner has filed a written
complaint with the board. This period of exclusive administrative
authority may not prohibit the purchaser or owner of the
manufactured home from seeking equitable relief in any a court of
competent jurisdiction to prevent or address an immediate risk of
personal injury or property damage. The filing of a complaint
under this article shall toll any applicable statutes of limitation
during the ninety-day period but only if the applicable limitation
period has not expired prior to the filing of the complaint.
(c) Notice of consumer rights. Every dealer or contractor who moves homes from one place to another shall provide written notification to every purchaser of a manufactured home of the availability of administrative assistance from the board in investigating and ordering corrections of any defect in the manufacture or installation of a manufactured home and the period of exclusive jurisdiction given to the board. The board may prescribe that the notice contain any information the board determines to be beneficial to the purchaser or owner of the manufactured home in exercising that person's rights under this section.
Bill Title: Clarifying that filing of manufactured housing complaint with state regulatory board is prerequisite for lawsuit
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-04 - Chapter 118, Acts, Regular Session, 2011 [SB439 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2011-SB439-Comm_Sub.html
A BILL to amend and reenact §21-9-11a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying that the filing of a complaint with the state regulatory board is a prerequisite for the filing of a lawsuit.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §21-9-11a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9. MANUFACTURED HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS.
§21-9-11a. Inspection of manufactured housing; deferral period for inspection and administrative remedies; notification to consumers of rights.
(a) Inspection of manufactured housing. When a purchaser or owner of a manufactured home files a written complaint with the board alleging defects in the manufacture, construction or installation of the manufactured home, and any additional information the board considers necessary to conduct an investigation, the board shall, within sixty days, to the extent feasible, cause an inspection of the manufactured home by one or more of its employees or person authorized and supervised by the board. The board shall provide the consumer a written report indicating whether the defects alleged by the complaint constitute violations of federal or state statutory or regulatory standards or good and customary manufacturing standards in the construction, design, manufacture or installation of the manufactured home. If the report indicates that the alleged defects
(b)
(c) Notice of consumer rights. Every dealer or contractor who moves homes from one place to another shall provide written notification to every purchaser of a manufactured home of the availability of administrative assistance from the board in investigating and ordering corrections of any defect in the manufacture or installation of a manufactured home and the period of exclusive jurisdiction given to the board. The board may prescribe that the notice contain any information the board determines to be beneficial to the purchaser or owner of the manufactured home in exercising that person's rights under this section.