Maine, Massachusetts Inch Closer to Answers on Right to Repair

Though Maine and Massachusetts have passed their own Right to Repair laws, they have yet to be implemented over confusion on how the laws should be upheld—however, some recent developments suggest these states may soon receive answers.

Massachusetts

After Massachusetts voters approved Right to Repair in Nov. 2020, it was shortly thereafter challenged by automakers, and has been held up in court since June 2021.

On Jan. 7, 2025, the case was then suddenly reassigned to another Massachusetts federal judge. Having reviewed records from the case, the judge has said she does not believe further briefing will be needed to resolve the case. She’s requested a joint status update to be filed by Jan. 17.

Maine

Though Maine’s Right to Repair law technically went into effect Jan. 5, 2025, it isn’t being enforced. A working group has been convened by the state’s Attorney General to devise recommendations for the law’s implementation, which are set to be turned in Feb. 28, 2025.

Whether these suggestions will be upheld is another question, as it seems lawmakers already have doubts about what the report will entail. Rep. Tiffany Roberts, member of the Housing and Economic Development Committee which will be receiving the working groups’ proposals, released written testimony questioning the need for telematics access in the first place.

“While well-intentioned, (the law) is rife with ambiguities, potential conflicts with federal oversight, and cybersecurity risks,” said Roberts in her public comment.

Roberts added that she would like to see an evaluation on the need for telematics data in repairs before access to it be granted.