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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=9834
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 6, 2012 01:54 PM
From: Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf
To: All Senate members
Subject: Window tinting: vehicle safety inspection and unfair trade practice
 
I am reintroducing Senate Bill 114, legislation amending the Vehicle Code, Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, to 1) require that window tinting be included as part of the State vehicle safety inspection process and 2) subject businesses to the unfair trade practices law if they fail to inform a purchaser that window tinting services will cause the motor vehicle to be out of compliance with the Vehicle Code.

As a general rule, light transmittance through all vehicle windows must be greater than 70%. The window tinting law is important because of the need for police officers to view the inside of cars during traffic stops. Motorists in cars with illegal tinting may be trying to conceal weapons behind the tinted glass. Ensuring that window tinting is tested as part of the motor vehicle safety inspection process will help to uncover such violations and reduce the risk to police officers.

Companies that provide window tinting sometimes tint the windows of an automobile to a level that is in violation of Pennsylvania law. The Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General issued a consumer advisory to motorists who wish to tint their automobile windows. The advisory states: “Businesses that tint car windows may charge hundreds of dollars for their services and never tell you that your new windows do not conform to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Some window tint retailers try to defraud consumers by offering illegal tint levels of 50, 20, or even 10% light transmittance levels.”

My legislation will provide protection to unsuspecting motorists. Many young drivers have their vehicles detailed without giving any consideration to whether the modifications will put their vehicle out of compliance with safety standards.



Introduced as SB153