Pro Codes Act

Key Points

• Many safety and technical standards, like building codes and electrical standards, are written by private organizations and then adopted into law by federal, state, and local governments. This bill confirms that those private groups can keep their copyrights on these standards even after the standards become part of the law.
• To keep their copyright protection, these private organizations must post the standards online for free, in a format that is searchable and accessible to people with disabilities. This ensures that anyone can read the rules they are legally required to follow without paying a fee.
• The websites hosting these standards can require users to create a free account, but they cannot use anyone's personal information without getting clear, direct consent from the user.
• This approach is designed to protect the business model of standards organizations, which fund their work through sales to professionals and industries, while still making sure everyday people have free access to the law.
• The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study how much it costs federal, state, and local governments to access these standards, with a focus on whether the costs are a burden on smaller towns and cities. A report with recommendations is due to Congress within two years.