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, 2026, 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 other consumer electronics — repaired by independent repair shops, not just the manufacturer's official service centers. Starting January 1, 2026, manufacturers that sell electronic equipment in Rhode Island would be required to make the tools, parts, software, and repair instructions available to independent repair providers and, in some cases, individual owners. This would make it easier and potentially less expensive for people to fix their devices without being locked into using the manufacturer's own repair service.

The bill affects several groups of people. Consumers would benefit from more choices about where they can get their devices fixed, which could lower repair costs and extend the life of their electronics. Independent repair shops and technicians would gain access to the same resources that manufacturers currently provide only to their authorized repair partners. Manufacturers, on the other hand, would be required to share repair information and parts they may currently keep proprietary, which represents a change to how they currently control their products' repair ecosystem.

As of the most recent update, the bill was introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study. This means the bill has not yet advanced to a full vote and is still under review by lawmakers.