MA H131

Bill

Creating the Massachusetts digital equity broadband adoption program

Introduced
03/29/2021

In Committee
03/29/2021

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to establishing within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development a digital equity broadband adoption program. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Digital Equity Broadband Adoption Program within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The purpose of the program is to expand the availability of broadband internet connectivity throughout the Commonwealth by providing financial assistance to eligible residents who cannot afford any available service. The bill defines "broadband service" and "provider", and requires the office to enter into agreements with providers to accept vouchers as payment. The office is also required to coordinate with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide information about the program to families with students enrolled in K-12. Eligible applicants include those receiving TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or with a child eligible for free/reduced-price lunch. The bill establishes a Broadband Adoption Digital Equity Fund to support the program, with at least 50% of the funds coming from assessments on broadband service providers.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (10)

Frank Moran (D)*, Bud Williams (D)*, Natalie Blais (D), Natalie Higgins (D), Mary Keefe (D), Jason Lewis (D), Christina Minicucci (D), Brian Murray (D), Lindsay Sabadosa (D), Andy Vargas (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H5040 (on 08/29/2022)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H131

(14 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H131
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H131.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H2048	Relative to the creation of a paid family and medical leave advisory board	Accompanied a new draft, see H4612	Similar To
H2132	Relative to further increasing the fines for cruelty to animals, and establishing a fund dedicated to improvements for local animal shelters	No further action taken	Similar To
H2258	To encourage, and improve, the level of availability of physicians	Accompanied a study order, see H5196	Similar To
H238	Creating a center on child wellness and trauma	Accompanied a study order, see H5201	Similar To
H3379	Relative to the creation of a women's rights history trail	New draft substituted, see H4555	Similar To
H3380	To establish a Massachusetts public arts program	Accompanied S2244	Similar To
H3383	Relative to the position of poet laureate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts	No further action taken	Similar To
H4555	Relative to the creation of a women's rights history trail	Signed by the Governor, Chapter 76 of the Acts of 2022	Similar To
H5040	Study Order	No further action taken	Replaced by
S1081	Providing for the development of a Graduate Judicial Training School	Accompanied a study order, see S2665	Similar To
S2079	Providing for the creation of a Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial	Accompanied a study order, see S2931	Similar To
S2249	Relative to the creation of a women's rights history trail	Accompanied H3379	Similar To
S266	To provide direct investment for job creation and business expansion in rural communities	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S899	Creating the Home Works Program	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To

Bill > H131

MA H131

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary