Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which allows for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2027, to be repaired at an independent repair provider.

Rhode Island Digital Electronics Right to Repair Act

This bill would give Rhode Island residents the legal right to have their digital electronic devices — such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and similar equipment — repaired by independent repair shops or even themselves, rather than being limited to the manufacturer's own repair services. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers that sell electronic devices in Rhode Island would be required to make the same repair tools, parts, software, and documentation available to independent repair providers that they provide to their own authorized repair technicians.

The bill primarily affects three groups of people. Consumers would benefit by having more choices for where and how they get their devices fixed, which could mean lower repair costs and greater convenience. Independent repair businesses — local shops not officially affiliated with major tech brands — would gain access to the tools and information they currently may be denied, allowing them to compete more fairly in the repair market. Device manufacturers, on the other hand, would be required to share proprietary repair resources they have traditionally kept exclusive, which represents a significant change to how they currently operate.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Corporations Committee. The committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward in the legislative process. Similar "right to repair" legislation has been considered or passed in several other states in recent years, reflecting a broader national conversation about consumer rights and product ownership.