Substitute Senate Bill No. 1234, now Public Act No. 25-9, establishes regulations for libraries in Connecticut regarding their agreements with publishers for electronic books and digital audiobooks. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill defines key terms such as "electronic literary material," "library," "publisher," and "borrower," and outlines the conditions under which libraries may enter into contracts or license agreements. Specifically, it prohibits libraries from agreeing to terms that limit their operational functions, such as restrictions on loaning materials, the number of loans, or the ability to make preservation copies.

The bill also mandates that once a similar law is enacted in other states with a combined population of at least seven million, libraries in Connecticut must comply with these new restrictions on contracts with publishers. Libraries are allowed to enter agreements that limit simultaneous access to materials or include reasonable technological protections, but they cannot agree to terms that violate the provisions outlined in the bill. This legislation aims to protect libraries' ability to serve their communities effectively while ensuring fair access to digital literary materials.