Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7606: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS (Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.)
Status: Chaptered, June 24, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 11, 2026:
2026 -- H 7606 ======== LC005146 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Morales, Cortvriend, Fogarty, Cotter, Donovan, and Spears Date Introduced: February 11, 2026 Referred To: House Corporations It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Legislative purpose. The purpose of chapter 13.4 of title 6 is to remedy many of the ebook issues plaguing Rhode Island libraries. It includes provisions providing that Rhode Island law directly governs library ebook contracts, harnesses state laws on unconscionability in licensing terms, and includes the use of Rhode Island consumer protection law. These provisions are drafted pursuant to the power inherent in protecting public policy and promoting the life, education, public convenience, general prosperity, well-being of society, and the welfare of the state's population and economy - all of which are dependent on libraries' ability to continue, as technology advances, their traditional practice of providing open, nondiscriminatory access to materials for the public. SECTION 2. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 13.4 LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS 6-13.4-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) "Aggregator" means one whose business is the licensing of …
Sponsors
- Lauren Carson (D, HD-075) · primary sponsor
- David Morales (D, HD-007)
- Terri-Denise Cortvriend (D, HD-072)
- Kathleen Fogarty (D, HD-035)
- Megan Cotter (D, HD-039)
- Susan Donovan (D, HD-069)
- Tina Spears (D, HD-036)
Latest actions
- : Effective without Governor's signature
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended Substitute A be held for further study
- : Proposed Substitute
Votes
- House Seq #453: PASSAGE AS AMENDED (June 10, 2026): 70 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Seq #452: PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT (June 10, 2026): 69 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Corporations: Passage of Sub A (June 8, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: COMMERCIAL LAW
Common questions
- What is H7606?
- H7606 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS (Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.).
- What is the status of H7606?
- Chaptered as of June 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective without Governor's signature (June 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7606?
- Lauren Carson (D, HD-075), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7606?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7606Aaa.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.