UPDATE MEANS OF PROVIDING NOTIFICATION; IMPROVING EFFICACY OF RECALLS.

SEC. 31310. UPDATE MEANS OF PROVIDING NOTIFICATION; IMPROVING EFFICACY OF RECALLS. (a) Update of Means of Providing Notification.—Section 30119(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking “by first class mail” and inserting “in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation”; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking “(except a tire) shall be sent by first class mail” and inserting “shall be sent in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation,”; and (B) by striking the second sentence; (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking the first sentence; (B) by inserting “to the notification required under paragraphs (1) and (2)” after “addition”; and (C) by inserting “by the manufacturer” after “given”; and (4) in paragraph (4), by striking “by certified mail or quicker means if available” and inserting “in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation”. (b) Improving Efficacy of Recalls.—Section 30119(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by striking “Second” and inserting “Additional”; (2) by striking “If the Secretary” and inserting the following: “(1) Second notification. If the Secretary” ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(2) Additional notifications. If the Secretary determines, after taking into account the severity of the defect or noncompliance, that the second notification by a manufacturer does not result in an adequate number of motor vehicles or items of replacement equipment being returned for remedy, the Secretary may order the manufacturer— “(A)(i) to send additional notifications in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation; or “(ii) to take additional steps to locate and notify each person registered under State law as the owner or lessee or the most recent purchaser or lessee, as appropriate; and “(B) to emphasize the magnitude of the safety risk caused by the defect or noncompliance in such notification.” .