The proposed bill, titled the "Digital Fair Repair Act," aims to enhance the rights of consumers and independent repair providers regarding the repair of digital electronic equipment in Minnesota. It mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must provide documentation, parts, and tools necessary for the maintenance and repair of their products on fair and reasonable terms. This includes making available any updates to information or embedded software. Additionally, for equipment with electronic security features, OEMs are required to provide the necessary documentation and tools to reset these functions when disabled during repairs. The bill also establishes that violations of these requirements are considered unlawful practices, allowing the attorney general to enforce penalties.

The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as "authorized repair provider," "digital electronic equipment," and "independent repair provider," and outlines the obligations of OEMs to ensure that independent providers and equipment owners have access to necessary resources. However, it also clarifies that OEMs are not required to disclose trade secrets or provide access to proprietary information beyond what is necessary for compliance. Notably, the act excludes certain categories, such as motor vehicle manufacturers and medical device manufacturers, from its provisions. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.