California Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill aiming to reduce cost of textbooks, requires publishers to release price differences of new textbook versions with previous editions

SACRAMENTO, California , July 17, 2012 (Associated Press) – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill intended to help lower the cost of textbooks for college students.



The Democratic governor announced Tuesday that he signed SB1539 by Sen. Ellen Corbett, which requires publishers of higher education textbooks to tell professors and buyers about the differences in new versions compared with previous ones.



Corbett, a Democrat representing San Leandro, says having this information will let professors and students know whether they really need to buy an expensive new edition of a textbook or could use a previous edition or another book.



Textbook publishers must also tell professors and buyers about other products they offer on the same topic.



The law takes effect in 2013.

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