Illinois House passes handset lemon law
The Illinois House passed a cellphone lemon law, a measure that would allow consumers with defective handsets to break wireless service contracts without penalty.
The House bill, approved by a 72-to-43 margin Thursday, now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“When someone buys a cellphone that turns out to be defective, they have to go back to the provider for a repair or replacement,” said Rep. Susana Mendoza, a Democrat who represents Chicago. “When this happens repeatedly, it burdens customers both in terms of time and money lost, but also with increased frustration. Cellular providers have an insufficient incentive to be responsive because the consumer is usually locked into a long-term contract.”
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