Bill > H559

This bill establishes a special commission to comprehensively investigate the consumer impacts of electronic textbooks in higher education. The commission will be composed of 12 members representing various stakeholders, including higher education administrators, student advocates, librarians, faculty members from public universities and community colleges, an electronic textbook industry representative, and legislative appointees. The commission's specific tasks include examining the benefits and drawbacks of electronic textbooks for students, such as analyzing how these digital resources affect consumer choice, evaluating the clarity of textbook contracts, exploring pricing and access limitations, and investigating the financial implications for both students and educational institutions. The commission is required to conduct public meetings, keep detailed notes, convene within 45 days of the bill's enactment, and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations and potential legislative drafts within 18 months. After submitting its report, the commission will dissolve, though it may request a 30-day extension if necessary to complete its work. The goal is to provide a thorough analysis of electronic textbooks' current landscape and potential reforms to improve student access and affordability.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H559