NY S05525

Broadband service providers must offer high-speed broadband to low-income consumers within 60 days, defined as those eligible for free/reduced lunch, earning up to 185% of federal poverty guidelines, or receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or senior/disability rent exemptions.

Low-income broadband service must provide minimum 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed (or provider's existing low-income speeds, whichever is greater) at a cost of no more than $5 per month inclusive of taxes and equipment rental fees.

Providers may increase prices once every five years after 30 days' notice by the lesser of the consumer price index change or 2% annually, and must allow customers to purchase cable and phone services separately.

Providers must make commercially reasonable efforts to promote low-income broadband availability on websites and promotional materials, and submit annual compliance reports to the Department of Public Service detailing enrollment, eligibility verification, and customer payment data.

The Department of Public Service must review minimum speed requirements within two years and every five years thereafter to align with federal communications commission benchmarks, and periodically update eligibility requirements; violations are subject to injunctions and civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.