NY A10690

Broadband service providers must offer high-speed service to low-income consumers within 60 days of the law's effective date, including those eligible for free/reduced lunch, with household income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, or receiving SNAP, Medicaid, senior rent exemption, disability rent exemption, or utility affordability benefits.

Low-income broadband service must provide minimum download speeds of 100 megabits per second (or the provider's existing low-income service speed, whichever is greater) and minimum upload speeds of 10 megabits per second, subject to exceptions by the Public Service Commission for unreasonable or impracticable situations.

Service must cost no more than $5 per month including all taxes and recurring fees, with price increases permitted only once every five years at the lesser of the Consumer Price Index change or 2% annually, following 30 days' notice to customers and the Department of Public Service.

Providers must make commercially reasonable efforts to promote the service on their websites and marketing materials, allow low-income subscribers to purchase cable and phone services separately, and provide identical contract terms and conditions as regular service offerings.

Providers must submit annual compliance reports to the Department of Public Service detailing enrollment numbers, eligibility verification procedures, marketing efforts, pricing, customer arrears, and service termination data; violations are subject to injunctions and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.