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NY A11180

Bill

Status

Introduced

12/4/2020

Primary Sponsor

Michael Benedetto

Click for details

Origin

Assembly

2019-2020 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes the E-LEARN program to provide high-quality broadband internet access to eligible students (ages 5-21) and schools, defined as minimum 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload for students and 1 Mbps per enrolled student for schools.

  • Creates the E-LEARN fund supported by annual assessments on telecommunications service providers based on their gross intrastate telecommunication revenue, with contributions prohibited from being passed through to customers.

  • Requires public school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, NYC Department of Education, charter schools, non-public schools, and other eligible institutions to apply for and receive funding to provide cost-free high-quality internet access to students lacking such service.

  • Mandates that telecommunications service providers continue existing high-quality internet service to students and schools already receiving it, with costs reduced by amounts equal to average per-student/per-school expenses of the E-LEARN program.

  • Requires schools and families to submit documentation of internet access needs and grant permission for use of student/family information; expires upon termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency declared by Executive Order 202 of 2020.

Legislative Description

Enacts the "E-Let's Expand Access to Remote Now (E-LEARN) Act" to ensure all children have access to the delivery of technology through high-quality broadband internet connectivity in support of the constitutional education obligations of the state; imposes assessments on telecommunications providers; creates a state fund to accomplish objectives.

Last Action

referred to education

12/4/2020

Committee Referrals

Education12/4/2020

Full Bill Text

No bill text available