Bill > H3595

This bill addresses challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by establishing a special legislative commission to investigate various aspects of library digital resources. The commission, composed of representatives from the legislature, library associations, publishers, and experts in fields like disability access, research, intellectual property, and consumer protection, will study cost trends, consumer satisfaction, and usage of digital resources in public, school, and research libraries. The bill defines key terms such as "digital resources" (electronic materials like e-books, videos, and interactive applications) and "access" (methods of using library materials). It mandates that library-publisher contracts cannot restrict information sharing about licensing agreements or compromise patron privacy, and such restrictive provisions would be considered unfair business practices. The commission is tasked with researching privacy concerns, consumer protection issues, and actions taken by other states regarding digital collections, with the ultimate goal of recommending legislative and executive actions to support sustainable, diverse digital resource collections, protect reader data, and ensure public libraries can continue fulfilling their mission of providing accessible resources to all residents. The commission is required to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations by December 31, 2026.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3595