As of March 2023, Connecticut (HB 6800 and 6829), Massachusetts (SB 2188 and HB 3239), and Hawaii (HB 1412) have active versions of these bills in committee. Rhode Island also has a similar bill; however, it’s distinguishable from Connecticut and Massachusetts because it’s a “hybrid” of the Maryland bill (in that it includes the “shall offer” language, as well as a clause that would render unenforceable license terms that “limit the rights of a library or school under the U.S. Copyright Act”). Importantly, that provision would be severable – meaning that should the Rhode Island bill become law and parts of it later declared invalid, the remainder of the bill would stand. Virginia also introduced a similar bill to Rhode Island, but a few weeks ago the senate committee voted to table it - and as far as we can tell, not for any reasons related to copyright.

The eBooks Study Group are also working with other legislatures presently to introduce more library ebook bills in other states.

Check out our Bill Tracker page for the latest status updates on these bills.