Senate approves `right-to-repair' bill

The Massachusetts Senate has given initial approval to a bill that supporters say would allow consumers to get their vehicles fixed at a wider range of locations.

The legislation, called the "Right to Repair" bill, was approved by the Senate Tuesday. It now goes to the House.

The bill would require authorized automobile dealerships to sell the correct codes, tools and information needed to repair cars to independent auto dealerships and vehicle owners.

Independent repair shops and national parts and service chains argue that without such information they have been prevented from repairing many cars. Opponents argue that releasing proprietary information would give a competitive advantage to makers of generic parts.

Massachusetts could become the first state in the nation to pass such a measure.