AN ACT MAKING CERTAIN TERMS IN ELECTRONIC BOOK AND DIGITAL AUDIOBOOK LICENSE AGREEMENTS OR CONTRACTS UNENFORCEABLE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Blumenthal and 8 co-sponsors

HB 6958 makes certain e-book and digital audiobook license terms unenforceable for Connecticut libraries, protecting patron privacy and ensuring stable access to digital titles.

FILE NO. 268

#connecticutstatelibrary #contracts #electronicbooks #libraries #publishers #schoollibraries

Summary — HB 6958

Title: AN ACT MAKING CERTAIN TERMS IN ELECTRONIC BOOK AND DIGITAL AUDIOBOOK LICENSE AGREEMENTS OR CONTRACTS UNENFORCEABLE
Bill No.: HB 6958 (File No. 268)
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Subject areas: Connecticut State Library; contracts; electronic books; digital audiobooks; libraries; publishers; school libraries

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to limit the enforceability of particular contract terms that publishers or vendors include in license agreements for electronic books (e-books) and digital audiobooks when those agreements are with libraries (including public and school libraries) or the Connecticut State Library. The overall intent is to protect library operations, patron access and privacy, and the public interest in library lending of digital content.

Key provisions (based on bill title and subject)

The bill declares certain terms in e‑book and digital audiobook license agreements unenforceable as a matter of Connecticut law. While the bill text is not included here, provisions of this type commonly:
- Void contract clauses that prohibit or unduly restrict libraries’ ability to lend, transfer, archive, or preserve digital works.
- Prohibit terms that permit unilateral remote revocation or expiration of previously acquired digital content by the vendor or publisher.
- Render unenforceable privacy‑invading clauses (for example, mandatory reporting of patron reading history that conflicts with library privacy laws).
- Invalidate clauses that attempt to override state law protections (such as library record confidentiality or educational use exceptions).
- Bar gag clauses that prevent libraries from disclosing contract terms (transparency provisions).

The measure would make such terms legally ineffective rather than criminalize vendor behavior.

Who would be affected

Libraries: public libraries, school libraries, and the Connecticut State Library — increased bargaining power and operational protections.

Library patrons and students: potentially greater and more durable access to digital collections and strengthened privacy safeguards.

Publishers and digital content vendors: restrictions on licensing practices; may prompt renegotiation of contract terms or different pricing models.

Vendors, library consortia, and procurement/legal staff: need to revise contracts and procurement policies.

Potential impact

Access: could secure longer or more reliable access to digital titles for library users.

Costs: publishers may respond with different pricing/licensing structures; fiscal impact uncertain (OFA referral noted).

Legal/practical: may increase transparency in contracts; could provoke litigation over which terms are unenforceable if language is ambiguous.

Legislative status & timeline

Introduced: 2025-02-13

Public hearing: 2025-02-19

Joint Favorable: reported 2025-03-07

Filed with LCO: 2025-03-11

Referred to OLR and OFA for analysis: 2025-03-20 (dated 03/25/25)

Favorable report out of LCO and tabled for House calendar: 2025-03-26 (House Calendar No. 191; File No. 268)

Notes: The full statutory text is not included in the materials provided. The summary above explains likely effects and examples consistent with the bill title and subject matter; consult the enacted bill language or bill packet for exact clauses made unenforceable.