MN SF6

Establishes a distance learning broadband access grant program in the Department of Education to provide wireless or wire-line broadband access to students lacking internet access during the COVID-19 peacetime public health emergency for school years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

Creates a telemedicine equipment reimbursement grant program in the Department of Employment and Economic Development to reimburse eligible health care providers (community health clinics, hospitals, public health departments, physician practices, and nursing facilities) for purchasing and installing telemedicine equipment to provide COVID-19 related health services.

Establishes a supplemental broadband development program to fund acquisition and installation of middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure supporting at least 100 megabits per second speeds in unserved and underserved areas for distance learning, telemedicine, business operations, and telecommuting during COVID-19.

Appropriates $15,000,000 for distance learning broadband grants, $2,000,000 for telemedicine equipment grants, and $10,000,000 for supplemental broadband infrastructure development, all from the coronavirus relief federal fund with funds canceled if unexpended by March 15, 2021.

Requires reporting to the legislature by April 15, 2021 on grant recipients, amounts awarded, number of beneficiaries served, and program administration costs for each of the three grant programs.