NJ S3250

Textbook publishers must disclose to faculty members the price at which products would be made available to college bookstores, and must inform adopters when unbundled versions of textbooks are available in the same edition as bundled versions.

Public institution governing boards must implement policies encouraging faculty to place textbook orders early enough to confirm availability and allow time to source used textbooks or alternative digital formats.

Textbooks must be sold as ordered by faculty; if unavailable, the bookstore, faculty member, and publisher must collaborate to find the closest substitute at a disclosed price.

Employees of public higher education institutions are prohibited from accepting payments, loans, goods, or money deposits for adopting specific textbooks, though they may receive sample copies and royalties from materials containing their own work.

The bill applies to all New Jersey public higher education institutions including Rutgers, NJIT, Rowan, state colleges, and county colleges.